Center Ian Shirey helped anchor an offensive line that led the Penguins to the 1997 National Championship and the 1999 National Championship Game. As a senior, he was named to the Walter Camp Foundation, SportsNetwork and Teamlink.com (third team) All-America squads.
At 6-feet-2, 270 pounds, Shirey was a four-year starter at center. His final two years, he was an All-Gateway Football Conference pick.
For his career, he started an impressive 51 games. Shirey had a streak of 37 consecutive starts to start his career before missing one against his hometown school – Slippery Rock -- early in the 1999 campaign.
In 1999, YSU rushed for 198.9 yards per contest while averaging 380.3 yards of total offense (the most in 10 years) to go along with 28.1 points per contest. YSU posted a 12-3 record, reaching the FCS championship game versus Georgia Southern. He was named the Penguins’ Jim Zdelar Offensive Lineman of the Year for his efforts.
In 1998, he earned first-team all-conference accolades and honorable-mention All-America honors from the Football Gazette as the Guins posted a 6-5 ledger. Entering the year he was one of just two returning starters. The unit averaged 190.3 yards per game rushing and 314.6 yards per game in total offense.
In 1997, Shirey started all 15 games as the Penguins won their fourth National Championship in school history. YSU posted a 13-2 mark, capping the season with a 10-9 victory over McNeese State in the title game. The offense averaged 212.7 yards rushing, 356.1 total offensive yards and 30.7 points per game.
As a redshirt freshman in 1996, Shirey started all 11 contests as YSU finished the campaign 8-3. For the season, the Penguins averaged 194.9 yards rushing and 318.5 total offensive yards.
A native of Slippery Rock, Pa., and graduate of Slippery Rock High School, Shirey was a three-time letterwinner, earning first-team all-conference honors as senior. At Slippery Rock he played offensive line, defensive line and was the team’s punter, averaging 43.8 yards per punt.
Shirey earned his bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Services from YSU.
He is a branch manager for Proficio Mortgage Ventures.
He and his wife Amy have two children, Mya and Ian. The family resides in Medina, Ohio. He is the cousin of YSU Hall of Famer and former offensive lineman Matt Hogg.
