Kansas athletic director Lew Perkins says

he’ll retire in September 2011.

The 65-year-old Perkins announced his decision in a statement

released through the school Thursday afternoon.

Perkins’ announcement came one day after he was cleared of

accepting free use of gym equipment in exchange for favors.

Perkins says he’ll remain on the job through the next academic

year to help guide Kansas through conference realignment as the Big

12 appears to be breaking apart.

In his statement, Perkins says: “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.”

He also says that for now, “my greatest priority is working on

conference alignment issues, and as I’ve committed to the

chancellor, I will work tirelessly on these efforts.”