Indiana High School Athletic Association

     9150 North Meridian Street, Box 40650, Indianapolis, Indiana 46240-0650

Phone: 317-846-6601    Fax: 317-575-4244    Website: www.ihsaa.org

Blake Ress, Commissioner

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MEDIA INFORMATION                                                                                             November 28, 2006

Contact: Blake Ress, Commissioner                                                                           

 

CHRIS KAUFMAN NAMED IHSAA COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

Indiana High School Athletic Association Commissioner Blake Ress announced today that the IHSAA Executive Committee has approved the selection of Chris Kaufman as Communications Director for the organization.

 

Kaufman joins the IHSAA Executive Staff in a position that will report directly to the Commissioner. In his role, the 40-year old Kaufman will work closely with Sports Information Director Jason Wille and serve as the spokesperson for the Association. In addition, he will be responsible for producing state championship programs, newsletters and press releases, serve as a liaison with the IHSAA’s various corporate partners and also provide support at its 20 state championship events. He will begin his duties on December 20.

 

Kaufman comes to the IHSAA following a 16-year career at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, the last eight as the school’s Director of Marketing and Communications. In his role, Kaufman served as spokesperson for the school, helped develop its sports information department, an overall marketing plan to promote the school, created the school’s first website and interactive CD-ROM, and arranged a comprehensive partnership with various media networks to broadcast Cathedral football games. He also served as an assistant football coach and has been part of five state championship teams, including the Irish’s 4A state title last Saturday.

 

“We are very excited to have someone the caliber of Chris join our staff as Communications Director, commented Commissioner Blake Ress.  “We believe his knowledge and experience in technology and marketing will be valuable in advancing our relationships with our member schools, the media and corporate supporters of the Association.”

 

“This is a tremendous opportunity for me personally and professionally and I am truly honored to be a representative of such a respected organization,” said Kaufman. “I look forward to working alongside some very talented and dedicated professionals to further the mission of the Association and to serve member schools.   I am excited about the opportunities and challenges I will face in this new position.”

 

Since 1993, Kaufman has served as the Sports Information Director for the Indiana/Kentucky Basketball All-Stars. He’s also worked at numerous sporting events around the state including the IHSAA State Finals, the Indiana Football North/South All-Star Game, the NCAA Final Four and the Big Ten Championships. He’s also maintained an IHSAA officials license in baseball since 1988.

 

Kaufman is a graduate of the University of Indianapolis where he earned a Bachelors of Science degree majoring in business administration. He also competed as a place-kicker for the Greyhounds earning all-conference and pre-season All-America honors. Kaufman is a native of Kokomo and attended Northwestern High School.

 

Kaufman and his wife, Stephanie, are the proud parents of a daughter, Katie, 12, and a son, Blake, 5. They reside in Indianapolis.

 

 

IHSAA 06-07/20