March 29, 2006
ORLANDO - UCF associate athletics director and Senior Woman Administrator Mary Kaufman passed away on Monday evening at the age of 68. A longtime administrator at UCF, Kaufman served as the school's advocate for women's issues.
"Mary had a significant role in the success and growth of UCF athletics over the years," said UCF Director of Athletics Steve Orsini. "She truly cared about every single student-athlete, coach and employee at UCF. Her love of UCF and the athletics department was truly genuine and Mary will always have a place in the history and tradition of this university."
During her time at UCF, Kaufman saw numerous changes at the school and helped cultivate great growth in Golden Knights women's athletics. She was influential in elevating a pair of women's sports - rowing and softball - to varsity status. UCF currently sponsors nine women's programs.
Kaufman was in her ninth year as an associate athletics director. Prior to moving into that post, she spent four years as an assistant athletics director for administration and women's sports.
A two-time graduate of UCF, she earned her bachelor's degree in liberal studies and her master's degree in applied sociology, with a specialty in deviant behavior. Kaufman was a charter staff member at UCF for seven of the school's formative years (1967-74) and had an extensive background in management and human resources development.
Kaufman was responsible for human resources, administration, budget oversight and served as UCF's liaison with Conference USA for game scheduling and championships. A proponent for women's rights, she oversaw UCF's gender equity plan and served as the UCF Athletics Association's Title IX representative.
When Kaufman rejoined the athletics department in 1989, UCF's women's programs competed in the New South Women's Athletic Conference. With Kaufman on board, UCF then became a member of the Sun Belt Conference. Following a short stint in that conference, the Golden Knights joined the Atlantic Sun Conference for a 13-year run. As one of UCF's top athletics administrators, Kaufman helped guide UCF during its transition to C-USA last summer.
A viewing will take place on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. and the funeral service will begin at noon at the Carey Hand Cox-Parker Funeral Home, located at 1350 West Fairbanks Avenue in Winter Park.
A scholarship has been created in Kaufman's honor. All proceeds from the Mary Kaufman Scholarship will be used to support female student-athletes at UCF. Checks can be made payable to the UCF Foundation Inc., c/o Mary Kaufman and can be sent to UCF Foundation, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 140, Orlando, FL 32826-3257