George Washington University Athletics
Crew Coach Peterson Inducted Into Rhode Island Hall of Fame
10/16/2000 12:00:00 AM | Crew
Currently in his fifth year at GW, Peterson is a former Olympic and National Team rower. In just his first three seasons at GW, Peterson's first varsity eight has compiled an impressive 72-20 (.783) regular-season record, captured two Champion International Collegiate Regatta titles and gone on to compete at the NCAA Women's Rowing Championships. He was named the Atlantic 10 Conference Coach of the Year in 2000.
In addition to coaching at GW, Peterson was named the coach of the 1999 US Lightweight Women's team which competed at the Pan American Games last summer. At the games, his crews won two silver and one bronze medal for their efforts.
Peterson is a 1985 graduate of the University of Rhode Island. As a rower at URI, his crews won the Dad Vail championship twice in 1982 and 84. He served as assistant crew coach for his alma mater in 1986-87 and head coach from 1989-91. Peterson guided URI to victories at the New England Championships, Dad Vails and Women's Eastern Sprints.
In 1992, he accepted the position of head coach for varsity lightweight men's crew at Rutgers University where he would coach until 1995.
A native of Cumberland, RI, Peterson rowed for the USA men's lightweight double sculls at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and is a six-time U.S. National team member. In 1990, he won a world championship in the men's lightweight double sculls and was awarded the Vesper Cup for outstanding and inspirational achievement in international competition.
He also received a bronze medal at the 1989 World University games and has won more than 50 national championship medals during his 16-year rowing career.
The GW rowing program is headquartered at Thompson Boat Center on the Potomac River. The GW women's crew competes in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
