Kansas University athletic director Lew Perkins is to arrive in Lawrence this weekend to begin his duties in Allen Fieldhouse. He will be the 13th director in the school’s 139-year history, and he will face many challenges.

Over the years, KU has had a number of top-flight, honorable individuals serving in this important position. But for some reason or another, the Jayhawks have had a spotty record in the win-loss columns. Unfortunately, the past several years have not been good ones for most KU teams. Aside from the basketball program, which historically has been one of the nation’s finest, the other sports have not fared well. There has been a year or two when the football team has done well, but not on a sustained basis.

Due to budget problems, several sports have been eliminated, other teams have failed to measure up and there have been coaching changes.

There isn’t any one reason for below-par performance, but rather a combination of factors: inadequate funding, poor leadership, poor coaches, lack of talent, poor marketing, questionable levels of interest and support from chancellors, poor alumni support and lack of financial generosity, questionable physical facilities, and on and on. Take your pick, or lump them all together.

Is this the time for a new beginning? KU fans certainly hope so, and many believe Perkins is the man to lead the athletic program to new levels of achievement. These fans want to win, but they also want to win playing the games the right way. They are terribly proud of the manner in which former KU basketball coach Roy Williams stressed the importance of academic achievement and high graduation rates. These fans want to see the Jayhawks win, but they do not like winning by recruiting players who will not reflect credit on the university or the state.

Perkins appears to be the right man at the right time. He is recognized by his peers as a top-flight athletic director. He comes from a well-run department at Connecticut, and he knows Kansas from his previous experience as athletic director at Wichita State University from 1983 to 1987. He is a former NCAA Division I basketball player and has helped build championship programs.

Perkins has an engaging personality, but he obviously can be all business and demands the best of those he oversees. He expects them to measure up and if they don’t, they are likely to be looking for a new job.

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There is an organization called the National Association of Collegiate Athletics Directors that tabulates the performance of all major sports at the nation’s larger colleges and universities. Over the years, the Directors’ Cup has become the measuring stick by which colleges and universities evaluate their athletic programs and post-season success.

In 1993-1994, Kansas University was ranked 28th in the nation, with Nebraska at 18th, Iowa State at 58th, Texas at seventh, Texas A&M at 24th and Missouri at 50th.

Now, based on the 2002-2003 year, KU has fallen to 108th.

In the Big 12, Texas is No. 2, Oklahoma is 20th, Nebraska is 24th, Texas A&M is 28th, Missouri is 37th, Oklahoma State is 39th, Colorado is 44th, Kansas State is 49th, Baylor is 69th, Texas Tech is 102nd, Iowa State is 107th, and KU is at the bottom of the conference at 108th.

Perkins cannot get the job done by himself. It is going to take the combined efforts of many. It all depends on how committed many are to the importance of a winning, respected program. It is doubtful whether the climate on many college campuses is as supportive of a strong athletic program as it is on Mount Oread.

But merely wishing and actually getting the job done are two different things. It is not an easy task, and it certainly cannot be done overnight. Along with good athletic directors, good coaches, good chancellors, good players and good funding, there also must be smart, well-planned marketing of the program by the entire school, not just the athletic department. There also needs to be smart public relations and smart timing, and neither has been practiced by KU in recent years.

Various individuals report there is a changed, positive environment in Allen Fieldhouse in recent weeks, with a more relaxed attitude and an optimistic outlook. Those who have been in the fieldhouse for some time say they are looking forward to Perkins’ arrival and getting to work to help build Jayhawk teams that are winners — both on and off the field.

For the sake of KU and its many fans, let’s hope Perkins is successful.