SCOTT HIRKO
Associate, Communications and Research
Scott Hirko is an Assistant Professor of Sport Management in the Department of Physical Education & Sport at Central Michigan University. He was a lead assistant for the Commission on its report, Restoring the Balance: Dollars, Values, and the Future of College Sports. Hirko earned a Ph.D. in Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education from Michigan State University (MSU) in September 2011. He currently serves as Vice Chair for the Commission for Recreation and Athletics, an entity that was created with his leadership in the American College Personnel Association (ACPA). He also previously served two terms on the MSU Athletic Council, appointed by MSU president Lou Anna Simon, and co-founded SUPERSEED: Students United to Promote Economic Revenues Supporting Education and Economic Development. In 2007, the MSU Department of Student Life named Hirko as Michigan State University’s top Graduate Student Leader. He is active in the ACPA, American Educational Research Association, and the Association for the Study of Higher Education.
From 1996-2001, Hirko worked in college athletics administration as an assistant athletic director at Olivet College, as an assistant sports information director at Michigan Technological University, as public relations assistant to the West Coast Conference, and as a game day administrator and graduate assistant to Central Michigan University athletics. From 2000-2001, he served on the CoSIDA regional women's basketball All-America selection committee and as the CoSIDA Single Sports Guide national coordinator.
He also served as a legislative assistant to Michigan Senator George Hart from 1991-1995. Hirko served as the Public Relations Officer and Legislative Liaison for the Michigan Humanities Council from 2001-2010, and was a registered lobbyist in the state of Michigan. He is visible in the community, having previously served on the board of directors of the MSU Alumni Club of Mid-Michigan and the People's Church Preschool Advisory Committee, as Vice Chair of the City of East Lansing Cable & Telecommunications Commission, and as Vice President of the Abbott Parkside Neighborhood Association.
Hirko earned a Master of Sport Administration from Central Michigan University in 1998 and Bachelor of Science degrees in Political Science and Social Science from Michigan State University in 1990.
He lives in East Lansing, Mich., with his wife, Mary Jo, and daughters Sierra (13) and Sage (9).
