New York ? Kansas University athletic director Lew Perkins today will be named the NIT’s “Man of the Year.”

The NIT, which stands for National Invitation Tournament, annually cites a coach or administrator for outstanding contributions to basketball. Texas Tech coach Bob Knight was the winner last year.

“The legacy of basketball people who have won this award is very rich,” KU associate athletic director Jim Marchiony said. “Lew Perkins certainly fits that mold in what he has accomplished in the field of intercollegiate athletics.”

Perkins, who played college ball at Iowa and led athletic departments at hoops-rich schools KU, Connecticut and Maryland, will receive the award in March at the NIT Tournament.