Benko named senior associate AD for finance
Jared Benko, a nine-year veteran of business operations in the Southeastern Conference, has been named senior associate athletics director for finance at Mississippi State, Director of Athletics Scott Stricklin announced last Wednesday.
Benko, who begins July 11, replaces Duncan McKenzie, who is retiring after 28 years of dedicated service to MSU Athletics.
“I’m excited to have Jared and his family join us in Starkville,” Stricklin said. “Jared’s talents and creativity were a natural fit for MSU Athletics, and I look forward to having him work alongside our executive team and our business office staff to continue making the Bulldogs better.”
Benko arrives in Starkville after serving as the assistant athletic director for finance at Auburn where he has been responsible for the day-to-day operations of the business office since 2015. He administered financial reporting and budgeting for 21 men’s and women’s sports, oversaw all procurement and travel units and supervised a staff of eight. He was tabbed the 2015 College Athletic Business Management Association’s Rookie of the Year for his efforts within the organization.
“I am thrilled to join the MSU family, and I am grateful to Scott Stricklin, Vice President for Budget and Planning Don Zant and the entire executive staff for this opportunity,” Benko said. “I look forward to supporting our staff, coaches and student-athletes as we continue to build on a tremendous foundation already in place. My family looks forward to being a part of the Starkville community.”
Benko spent four years in business operations at Arkansas, including serving as the director of business operations from 2012-15. He was promoted to that role after 16 months as the department’s business manager. Benko managed accounting and budgeting processes in Fayetteville, while forecasting and conducting financial analysis.
Prior to his time at Arkansas, Benko served as the assistant director of business operations at his alma mater of Georgia from 2008-11. He assisted in all financial management functions and was responsible for reviewing and processing all invoices for the University of Georgia Athletic Association.
Benko earned a Bachelor of Science in sports studies from Georgia in 2005 and then a Master of Public Administration in Athens in 2007. He got his start in the athletic business field as an intern at Georgia from 2007-08. He also spent seven years in sports communications at Georgia, including five years as a student and two years as a graduate assistant, while assisting with the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta Braves.
Benko and his wife, Sarah, have two sons, Hudson and Cooper.
