Lawrence, KS (Sports Network) - The University of Kansas announced Thursday its athletics director of the past seven years, Lew Perkins, will retire effective September 4, 2011.

The revelation comes in the midst of a huge shift in the college landscape, as Colorado has announced its intentions to leave the Big 12 Conference for the Pac-10, while Nebraska is expected to bolt for the Big Ten as early as Friday, causing many to question the viability of the Big 12 going forward.

The Jayhawks have won the past six Big 12 regular season championships in men's basketball.

"I have loved my time here at the University of Kansas and I will continue leading Kansas athletics over the course of the next year," Perkins said. "At this time, my greatest priority is working on conference alignment issues, and as I've committed to the chancellor, I will work tirelessly on these efforts. Conference alignment is the biggest challenge we have before us as an athletics department and an institution."

Under Perkins, the Kansas athletics budget has more than doubled from $27 million to $55 million.

The highlight of his tenure was the 2008 NCAA men's basketball title, but the past few months have been mired in controversy, which includes a five-year ticket scandal that is currently being investigated by federal investigators, the tumultuous release of head football coach Mark Mangino that resulted in a $3 million settlement, and allegations of a former KU employee regarding an improper exchange of exercise equipment for preferential seating and irregularities in the school's drug-testing program.

Perkins, who was the head of athletics at the University of Connecticut for 13 years prior to taking over at Kansas, was cleared of the latter charge on Wednesday, as an investigation ordered by chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little found no evidence to substantiate the claims.