Pending approval from the secretary of state, the Kansas University Athletic Corporation will be no more.

Not that it’s dying a sudden death. Instead, the board of directors approved a name change Tuesday, making the KUAC a thing of the past. Now it will be known as Kansas Athletics, Incorporated.

The motion first was approved via e-mail in June. But a second vote was required — and achieved Tuesday — to set it in motion. Now it’s off to the secretary of state for final go-ahead.

Athletic director Lew Perkins proposed the name change after speaking with Chancellor Robert Hemenway earlier this summer. He said the change, while minor, would help with the university’s goal to become more united.

“It’s very simple and kind of more in line with what one university is all about,” Perkins said. “I think it will be a lot easier to say we’re ‘Kansas Athletics.'”

Also discussed at Tuesday’s board meeting:

¢ Perkins and associate athletic director Terry Hines estimated that the NCAA report on violations within the KU athletic department would be completed in the next six to 10 months and released to the public soon thereafter, probably by news conference.

KU self-reported violations in several sports this summer, and by standard procedure the NCAA now is conducting its own investigation.

¢ Perkins said pledges toward the Williams Education Fund were way ahead of schedule this fiscal year, which started July 1.

At this point, pledges have totaled $7.7 million. The FY 2005-06 budget allotted for $7.8 million, meaning by next summer KU should have plenty of surplus in that category.

¢ Associate AD Sean Lester detailed the sprucing up being done at Allen Fieldhouse.

Along with the new scoreboard, which already is hanging and just needs final touches, the light fixtures are being upgraded, replaced and quadrupled, making even night games seem like daytime in the barn.

Also, bleachers are being painted and the ceiling cleaned, and all the windows visible from inside the fieldhouse will be replaced by KU’s first game in November.

¢ Perkins said he was finishing his long-term strategic plan for the athletic department after more than a year of work and will release details soon.