Russ Peterson (coach)

Russ Peterson was an American college basketball, football, and baseball coach. He served as a multi-sport coach at American International College and Boston University.

Russ Peterson
Playing career
Football
1920sSpringfield (MA)
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1934–1940American International
1941–1947Boston University (line)
1948–?Boston University (freshman)
1953–1958Springfield Technical HS (MA)
Basketball
1933–1941American International
1941–?Boston University (freshman)
1945–1948Boston University
Baseball
1943–?Boston University
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1933–1941American International
Head coaching record
Overall16–27–2 (football)
81–77 (basketball)

Early life

Peterson was a native of Springfield, Massachusetts, where he attended the High School of Commerce. He then continued on to Springfield College, where he played football and lacrosse.[1] He graduated as a member of the class of 1928.[2]

Coaching career

In 1933, American International College president Chester McGown hired Peterson as the school's first athletic director. Peterson established the American International basketball program in 1933, and its football, baseball, and soccer programs in 1934.[1][2] On October 13, 1939, Peterson coached American International to perhaps its greatest victory, a 7–6 upset of heavy favorites Saint Anselm at Pynchon Park. Trailing 6–0 with 1:30 remaining, American International elected to punt, but the kicker dropped the wet ball, and was forced to run. A block gave him an opening and he ran 60 yards for a touchdown. Future American International coach Henry Butova kicked the extra point to seal the victory.[2] Peterson served as both the head football and basketball coach at American International.[3] From 1934 to 1940, his football teams compiled a 16–27–2 record.[4] As the basketball coach from 1933 to 1941, he compiled a 45–59 record.[5]

In 1941, he was hired by Boston University as the line coach for its football team and as the freshman coach for its basketball program.[6][7] In 1943, Boston University also appointed Peterson as its head baseball coach.[8] That year, he temporarily left the school to take a commission in the United States Navy as a physical education instructor during World War II.[1][9] Peterson returned to Boston and served as the head coach of the basketball team from 1945 to 1948 and compiled a 36–18 record.[10] In 1948, he was promoted to the position of freshman football coach.[11] In August 1949, Peterson resigned from his posts at Boston in order to take an athletic director position in Arlington.[12] In 1953, he took over as head football coach at Springfield Technical High School, where he remained until 1958, when he resigned in order to become athletic director for Springfield, Massachusetts public schools.[13][14]

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References
  1. AIC athletics program builds on storied past, The Republican, March 27, 2011.
  2. Richard Bedard continuing tradition of athletic excellence at American International College, MassLive.com, December 24, 2010.
  3. MacPhail Indicted by Grand Jury on Assault Charges, Daily Boston Globe, November 14, 1945.
  4. Russ Peterson Records by Year, College Football Data Warehouse, retrieved June 4, 2011.
  5. Men's Basketball Year-By-Year Results, American International College, March 13, 2010.
  6. New Terrier Line Coach Finding Job Broadening, The Christian Science Monitor, October 1, 1941.
  7. Peterson to Trim Terrier Yearlings, The Christian Science Monitor, Nov 29, 1941.
  8. Around The Hub, The Christian Science Monitor, March 6, 1943.
  9. Holmer, Peterson Leave for Service, The Christian Science Monitor, Apr 21, 1943.
  10. Russ Peterson, Sports Reference, retrieved June 4, 2011.
  11. TWO COACHES APPOINTED; Boston University Adds Swenson, Botsford to Football Staff, New York Times, September 10, 1948.
  12. Peterson Quits B. U. to Become Athletic Head at Arlington, Daily Boston Globe, Aug 18, 1949.
  13. Tech High School's Chet Boulris was a champ off the field, too, MassLive.com, June 28, 2010.
  14. West Springfield and Springfield Tech coach Eddie Mason taught lessons about football, life, MassLive.com, January 26, 2011.
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