College Sports Information Directors of America

Bemidji State University Sports Information Director Brad Folkestad today announced the hiring of Troy Berneking (Grand Marais, Minn.) as Assistant Sports Information Director.

Berneking, a 2004 graduate of the University of Minnesota, Crookston assumes the role of the Assistant SID after a two-year stint in the BSU Sports Information Office as a Graduate Assistant. During that time Berneking was the main contact for the Beavers’ NCAA Division I women’s ice hockey team while he directly oversaw day-to-day duties of their cross country and baseball programs. He also assisted with a variety of other sports.

The Grand Marais, Minn. native has roots that run deep in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. While attending league member UMC as a sports and recreation major and line backer for the Golden Eagle football team, he was a three-time NSIC All-Academic Team member, earned All-NSIC Honorable Mention accolades and was UMC’s 2004 Student-Athlete of the Year. Berneking was also a student assistant in the institution’s sports information office gaining valuable experience handling athletic media relations duties and operating statistical software for men’s ice hockey.

Berneking has also volunteered for media relations staff opportunities at a number of conference and national tournaments. Most notably at the 2006 NCAA Division I Women’s Frozen Four hosted by the University of Minnesota.

Berneking’s new responsibilities at Bemidji State will include handling publicity for volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball and baseball while assisting with other day-to-day duties within the office.

“Troy is a promising sports information professional and has gone above and beyond to gain valuable experience in a number of different settings,” said Folkestad. “He has demonstrated a passion for the profession and tremendous work ethic during his time as a graduate student at BSU. I am excited to have him back and know he will be a tremendous asset to our office.”

Berneking replaces Folkestad who took over as Sports Information Director in April.  Bemidji State, located in Bemidji, Minn., is a member of NCAA Division II and participates in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference while its men’s and women’s hockey team participate at the Division I level as members of College Hockey America and the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.