Kean University

A classic two-sport star at Newark State College (now Kean University) from 1956 through 1960, John Joseph Kaufman captured eight varsity letters, excelling for both the basketball and baseball teams.

Starting his final three seasons at guard for the basketball team, Kaufman served as captain his senior year when he was tabbed as a second team All-New Jersey State College Athletic Conference (NJSCAC) pick in 1959-1960. Known for his playmaking ability, Kaufman made all of his teammates better through his unselfish distribution of the ball. Not a big scorer, he graduated among the program's all-time leaders in assists.

Though Kaufman received most of his individual accolades as a senior, his team's greatest success actually occurred the previous year. The 1958-1959 squad cruised to a 14-7 mark, tied for the regular season NJSCAC title with Glassboro State College (now Rowan University) before bowing to the Profs in a playoff game. Four of his teammates from that club, Eugene Campbell, Archie Chiles, Jack Mott and Arthur Salley, went on to become fellow Hall of Fame inductees.

Kaufman's baseball career saw him achieve even greater heights. A shortstop, centerfielder and pitcher, he led the team in hitting in three of his four years. After batting .333 as a freshman, he was named captain of the club as a junior in 1959 and responded by hitting .390, including a NJSCAC-leading .408 average in conference. Named captain again for his senior campaign, Kaufman batted over .400 en route to being named first team All-NJSCAC in 1960.

He was honored with the McKenna Memorial Award as the team's most valuable player as well as with the Scholar-Athlete Award in 1960.

Kaufman earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education in 1960.