Jason Kaufman was named Central Michigan University’s sports information director in Aug. 2009. He will direct the athletics department’s media relations and publicity efforts.

Kaufman comes to CMU from Western Illinois University, where he had been the assistant athletics director for media services and broadcasting since December 2005. He began his career as a graduate assistant at Western Illinois in 1997 before being promoted to assistant sports information director (1999-01) and director of media services prior to his most recent role.

Kaufman was the managing editor of Western Illinois’ athletics Web site, goleathernecks.com. He created the university’s first official athletics site before eventually signing an agreement with JumpTV in 2006 to host the site. Kaufman directed the media relations efforts for a 20-sport Division I program at WIU, implemented the department’s social media presence on Twitter and YouTube and established visual identity guidelines to maintain consistency and brand awareness throughout the department.

Several of Kaufman’s football media guides earned national honors from the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), including his 2003 guide that was voted Best in the Nation.

Kaufman is an active member of CoSIDA and has worked at several men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournaments. He is also a member of the Football Writers Association of America.

Kaufman earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Cedarville University in 1997 and master’s degree in sport management from Western Illinois in 1999.