Ashley Kaufman (2017) - Hall of Fame - University of Akron Athletics

Ashley Kaufman

Induction:
2017
Class:
2007

2003-06
Javelin

A two-time All-American, Ashley Kaufman finished her collegiate career as one of the most prolific javelin throwers in the history of the UA’s women’s track program during the seasons of 2003-06.

Her outstanding career was foretold since being recruited out of Freedom (Pa.) Area High School where she earned All-America honors as the No. 2 ranked javelin thrower.

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As a freshman, Kaufman finished third at the Mid-American Conference Championship, but she had a season’s best throw of 144’ 6” in the first of four All-Ohio Championship titles. She improved to 147’ to qualify for the NCAA Mideast Regional in 2004.

As a junior, Kaufman established a school record of 159’ 3” while finishing seventh at the NCAA Track Championships to earn All-America honors in 2005.

She duplicated her seventh-place finish at the NCAA meet as a senior to again earn All-America honors after destroying her previous record with a throw of 177’ 2” at the Mt. SAC Relays in California. In addition, Kaufman captured her first MAC crown with a 176’ 10” throw to earn the MAC’s Most Outstanding Female Field Performer Award and was accorded UA’s MVP Award.

In 2007, Kaufman graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Akron with a bachelor’s degree in sport and exercise science.

After graduating from Akron, she continued her education and assumed the graduate assistant position for the track team at Seton Hill. Once again, Kaufman graduated Summa Cum Laude from Seton Hill with a masters degree in special education.

Kaufman’s professional career has been solely focused on serving and advocating for children with special needs, as well as students that are considered at-risk for failure in a typical school environment through a variety of alternative school settings. Kaufman has served these students in many capacities within the realm of education, including a classroom teacher, an intervention specialist, special education coordinator, principal, and most recently as a consultant for alternative educational placements for at-risk students to include drop out prevention programs and residential treatment facilities.

In addition to serving children in the educational system, Kaufman has taken a parenting role as a foster parent for children in the Columbus (Ohio) area. Kaufman states that the core values of teamwork, dedication, relentlessness, and integrity that she gained through sports participation and coaching have been the key to her motivation and the foundation of her professional career decisions.