Lew Perkins, Kansas athletics director, offers confused old man defense for pricey flights

The Kansas City Star hammered Kansas athletics director Lew Perkins in Sunday’s paper for spending more than $150,000 for 22 flights on university-owned and leased airplanes between July 2008 and May 2010. Not that any of this is illegal; it’s just excessive, especially when he’s flying to Wichita, Hutchinson and Columbia.

The Star‘s review showed Perkins hopped planes to see Jayhawk basketball games, visit his daughter in New Orleans and pick up a dog. All seemed icky but explainable, especially if you’re just a confused old man whose “time is very important.” That’s exactly what Perkins told the Star — as well as offering an explanation for why planes exist.