Kim Cupini is in her second season with the Golden Knights. Her primary responsibilities include assisting head coach Leeanne Crain with the varsity squad and recruiting prospective student-athletes.
In her first season assisting Crain, the varsity eight earned its first top-20 ranking in the CRCA/USRowing Coaches Poll. She also guided the varsity four to wins over Michigan, UCLA, Notre Dame, Louisville, Columbia, Syracuse and Clemson.
Prior to assuming her responsibilities at UCF, Cupini served as the varsity assistant at the University of San Diego. She helped guide the training regimes for the varsity, junior varsity and novice squads as well as recruiting, coordinated the team[apos]s travel and facilitated fundraising.
In addition to her coaching responsibilities at USD, Cupini served as an assistant in the Student-Athlete Academic Support Program for two years. She guided the Toreros in their academics by supervising structured study, assisting student-athletes with their time management and study skills and tutoring in various subjects, including biology, chemistry and business.
In 2003, Cupini graduated from USD, where she rowed under Crain[apos]s guidance for three years. She was voted team MVP three times, while she was twice selected to the All-West Coast Conference (WCC) Team and the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association All-Conference Team. Cupini also served as co-captain, made the WCC All-Academic Team, received the [quote]Best Effort Award[quote] and was voted most inspirational athlete.
Cupini also worked for the non-profit organization Aquatic Adventures Science Education Foundation. She taught under-privileged youth marine and environmental science in the classroom as well as leading extended field trips throughout Southern California and Mexico.
Prior to USD, Cupini spent a year at Colby College in Waterville, Maine, where she was a two-sport athlete competing in both rowing and swimming. As a freshman, she was awarded the Scott Shire One-Hundered Percent Effort Award for rowing.
Cupini began her rowing career in her hometown of Rochester, N.Y., as a member of the Pittsford Rowing Club during its inaugural season. Cupini[apos]s varsity eight placed second at the New York State Championship and went on to compete at the Junior Nationals in their first year of competition.
Cupini, a USRowing Level III certified coach, graduated from University of San Diego with a bachelor[apos]s degree in environmental studies.
4/6/07