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Brad Folkestad is in his ninth year in the Office of Atheltic Media Relations at Bemidji State. As Director, he oversees all publicity and media relations operations for BSU’s 17-sport athletics department, and directly handles communications for the University's soccer, men's ice hockey, men's and women's golf and women's cross country and track and field teams.

Entering his 11th year in the athletic media relations field, Folkestad was promoted to the Director post in the spring of 2007. Folkestad has spent seven years of professional career at BSU. Starting with a two-year stint as a graduate assistant in 2002, he returned as the Assistant SID in the fall of 2004 after a one-year assignment in the same capacity at the University of Minnesota Duluth.

In addition to serving as the men’s and women’s basketball contact during each of the first four years in the business, Folkestad’s interests and experience in collegiate basketball run deep. He has volunteered at numerous conference, regional and national tournaments including the 2003 and 2006 NCAA Division I Men’s Midwest Regional Tournament in Minneapolis, Minn., the 2005 NCAA Division II Elite Eight in Grand Forks, N.D. at the 2003 NCAA Division II Women’s Frozen Four.

He is an active member of the College Sports Information Directors of America and has been recognized for excellence in publications on a number of occasions including a Ninth in the Nation finish for his 2005 BSU Volleyball Media Guide.

Folkestad, 31, received his bachelor’s degree in communication from BSU in 2001 and continues to work toward a master’s degree in sports studies. He resides in Bemidji, Minn. with his wife Lisa and their five children Tim, Nicole, Carly, Mackenna and Baylor.