Kelly Loft is in his 29th year as Assistant AD for Communications / Assistant Development at SMSU in 2025-26 and is responsible for publicizing SMSU's 18 athletics programs via social media, press releases, publications, statistical maintenance and archiving. He was named to his current position in the summer of 2021. He also maintains the official SMSU athletics web site, oversees the department's video board production, assists in coordinating game management and coordinating special fundraising projects.
During his tenure at SMSU he’s been honored five times by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) for publication and writing awards. SMSU's 2009-10 men's basketball game day program was named "Best in the Nation" for Division B.
Loft has served on various national committees during his tenure at SMSU, including stints as the district coordinator of the CoSIDA Academic All-America committee and region coordinator for Daktronics/CCA All-America program for women's basketball and baseball. In 2008 and 2009, he served as the national vice chairperson for the Daktronics/CCA Baseball All-America committee and since 2010 has served as the national chairperson for the Daktronics/CCA Baseball All-America committee. In June of 2014, he was voted first vice president of D2SIDA, a role in which he served for four years.
Loft served as the tournament director for 2003 NCAA Division II North Region Women's Golf Championship held at Marshall Golf Club and served a five-year term on the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Hall of Fame committee.
Loft has also served as an official scorekeeper for the American Legion Regional Baseball Tournaments, having worked tournaments in Minnesota, Ohio, Missouri and North Dakota.
Loft is a 1997 graduate of Southwest Minnesota State with a degree in radio/television before earning his master’s degree in sports management from SMSU in 2011. He interned at Midwest Sports Channel (now Fox Sports North) in Minneapolis prior to taking over at SMSU in 1997.
Kelly and his wife, Kari, live in Marshall and have a son, Dillon, and daughter, Regan.
