Complete Package
BUTLER TWP — By choosing Slippery Rock University, Jordan Kauffman feels like she's getting the total package.
The Butler senior recently signed a letter of intent to continue her academic and basketball career at The Rock.
“I never really considered anywhere else,” Kauffman said. “It's a growing program and it's close to home. And they have an excellent academic program in my field.”
Kauffman, a 4.0 student at Butler, plans to study pre-med in college. A swing player in basketball, she led the Golden Tornado with 12 points per game and 51 3-pointers last season.
“I love Jordan's choice here. She is going to one of the top Division II basketball conferences in the country,” Butler coach Mark Maier said. “I went to Indiana (Pa.) myself and played. I know the quality of play in that league.
“On the women's side, California, IUP and Edinboro are ranked among the top 25 every year. She is going to get the competition.”
Rock women's basketball coach Bobby McGraw, a Mars resident, is excited about adding another Butler County player to his team. Karns City graduate LeeAnn Gibson is a senior starter for SRU this year.
“We are looking at Jordan as a 3 or a 4,” McGraw said. “Before she sees the court for us, she will have to be able to defend at this level. I'm excited about her shooting ability. We know she will hit from outside for us.
“I know she will get there in terms of her defensive ability because I know how hard Jordan works at her game.”SRU was 36-122 in the six years before McGraw took over as head coach. Now in his sixth year, he has a 57-82 record at The Rock, including 12-16 marks in each of the past two years.“Jordan is a PSAC-ready offensive player right now,” McGraw said.Kauffman sees herself as a shooting guard with The Rock.“The coach is enthusiastic and really knows the game,” she said. “I know he will bring the best out of me. When I went from junior high to high school basketball, I had to work harder and adjust to playing at another level. Now, from high school to college, I have to do the same thing.”Maier has little doubt she will do so.“Jordan is a budding player,” he said. “She's not even close to peaking as a player. I am going to enjoy watching her next year.”He will enjoy coaching her this year.“Get back to the (WPIAL) playoffs and win a couple of games there,” Kauffman said of her goals for this season. “Once I'm in college, I know it's been a long time since Slippery Rock has beaten IUP. I want to be part of the team that does that. I just want to help that program continue to build.”
