Kirwan has also had executive-level positions relating to college athletics, including with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). In addition to serving on the NCAA's Executive Committee and Committee on Agents and Amateurism, Kirwan chaired the NCAA Division I Board of Directors from 2000 to 2003. In May 2006, Kirwan joined the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics. From April 2007 to December 31, 2015, Knight co-chaired the Knight Commission; he served as sole chair for the entire 2016 calendar year before retiring.