GRAND FORKS, N.D. ? University of North Dakota director of athletics Brian Faison announced today the elevation of Derek Koenen to assistant director of media relations.

Koenen, who spent the 2008-09 season as an intern within the UND athletics media relations office, will serve as UND's primary contact for women's hockey, soccer and men's and women's golf.

“I am extremely pleased to be able to retain Derek as a full-time member of our staff,” said UND director of media relations Jayson Hajdu. “His experience, work ethic and commitment to Fighting Sioux athletics will allow us to continue to pursue and provide increased media opportunities for our women's hockey, soccer and golf programs.”

Prior to joining UND's media relations staff, Koenen spent the previous two years as an athletics communications intern at Minnesota State University, Mankato, where he was the primary contact for Maverick wrestling and men's and women's golf.

Koenen also served as a public relations intern with the National Football League's Minnesota Vikings from 2005-08 and was a full-time assistant each season during training camp. While with the Vikings, he was also a member of the Vikings' gameday staff during regular season and playoff home games and was responsible for coordinating press conferences and media requests.

Before joining the Vikings, Koenen was a sports journalist for the Marshall (Minn.) Independent.

A native of Marshall, Minn., Koenen received a bachelor's degree in mass communications and public relations with a marketing minor from Minnesota State in 2007.