Kansas University’s new athletic director, Lew Perkins, has placed considerable focus on raising more money for his department. More money, he says, is the key to having the successful athletic teams KU alumni and friends want.

Thanks to a new donation-driven seating policy for Allen Fieldhouse, the money is, indeed, rolling in, according to a recent report in the Journal-World. Now, KU fans will see whether the additional money will bring the success Perkins has promised.

Hundreds of KU basketball fans reportedly jumped at the chance to donate money to the athletic department in hopes of getting seats or improving their seat location in Allen Fieldhouse. Athletic department workers still were totaling up the amounts last week, but it was estimated that from mid- May to June 30, between $5 million and $7 million was donated. Contributions received by June 30 earned the givers double “points” in the quest for preferred fieldhouse seating.

By way of comparison, the athletic department’s Web site says $5.5 million is the normal annual giving to the Williams Fund, the department’s fund-raising arm.

In a sense, the massive influx of donations vindicates the controversial seating plan instituted by Perkins for next season. As he predicted, the plan did result in significantly more money for the department. What isn’t yet clear, however, is how the seating plan will affect fan support and the atmosphere in Allen Fieldhouse. It also remains to be seen whether more money will actually translate into better teams in basketball and other sports and more overall university support.

Now the ball is in Perkins’ court. Can KU spin money into winning teams? And, when all is said and done, will the average KU fan think it was worth it?