New York ? Kansas University athletic director Lew Perkins has been named the winner of this year’s National Invitation Tournament Man of the Year Award.

Perkins, who will receive the award next month at the postseason NIT, joins an elite group of winners: Frank McGuire, John Wooden, Bob Knight, Lou Carnesecca, Henry Iba, Dave Gavitt, Jud Heathcote and former KU athletic director Bob Frederick.

“I’m ecstatic,” Perkins said Friday. “I’m not sure who nominated me. I was told the selection was because of dedication and loyalty to collegiate basketball wherever I’ve been and the fact we’ve always supported the NIT.

“I’m honored because the award represents a commitment to college basketball and helping student-athletes.”

His winning the award first was reported in Friday’s Journal-World.

In other news, Perkins will serve as commencement speaker at South Carolina-Aiken this spring. He’ll receive an honorary degree from that university, where he worked as AD from 1969 to 1980.