Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Steve Peterson Officially Inducted into the ABCA HOF
1/10/2017 12:00:00 PM | Baseball
The former MT skipper was inducted Friday night in Anaheim
ANAHEIM, Calif. – Legendary Head Coach Steve Peterson was officially inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Hall of Fame this past weekend in Anaheim, California.
Peterson was formally inducted Friday night, while the convention ran through the entire weekend. Coach Pete was one of 10 coaches, and one of two Division I coaches to be named to the ABCA Class of 2017.
"I want to thank the ABCA very much, not just for this honor, but also for what they do for college baseball, it's meant so much for me in my career," stated Peterson.
Coach Peterson became the first Division I baseball coach from the state of Tennessee to be inducted into the prestigious ABCA Hall of Fame.
Surrounded by family, friends, and former coaches, Coach Peterson gave a six minute speech giving thanks to the people that made his journey to the Hall of Fame possible.
"My family is unbelievable, which we all know what type of family we have to have," said Peterson. "My wife Rita recognized the passion I had for coaching and she allowed me fulfill it."
Peterson went on to thank former Middle Tennessee head coach, John Stanford, along with current head coach, Jim McGuire.
"Jim (McGuire) thank you so much, 20 years he spent with me or I spent with him, and that's a pretty good relationship right there for two guys to get along, so Jim thank you so much for what you did," Peterson said.
Peterson retired as Middle Tennessee's all-time winningest baseball coach with a stellar 791-637-3 record following the 2012 season and after leading the program for 25 years. Peterson also served as an assistant coach for the Blue Raiders for six years.
Coach Peterson produced 16 seasons with 30 or more wins, including a school-record 44 victories in 2009. He also had four campaigns of at least 40 wins, including 2009's 44-18 record.
Peterson already is a member of the Blue Raider Hall of Fame (2010), Huntsville-Madison County (Ala.) Athletic Hall of Fame (2009), the Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2007) and the Rutherford County Old Timers Baseball Hall of Fame (2003).
Peterson guided Middle Tennessee to 11 regular-season conference championships, nine conference tournament titles and nine NCAA Regional berths, including two at-large selections. During one stretch, he guided the Blue Raiders to a remarkable seven consecutive championships.
Watch Coach Peterson's full speech below:
The ABCA Hall of Fame Class of 2017:
Tom Austin, Methodist University (N.C.)
Scott Berry, Mayville State University (N.D.)
Jerry Boatner, West Lauderdale High School (Miss.)
Barry Chasen, Windsor High School (Conn.)
Leroy Dreyer, Blinn College (Texas)
Rick Jones, Tulane University (La.)
Wally Kincaid, Cerritos College (Calif.)
Bill Percy, St. Mary's High School (Colo.)
Steve Peterson, Middle Tennessee
Norm Schoenig, Montclair State University (N.J.)
Peterson was formally inducted Friday night, while the convention ran through the entire weekend. Coach Pete was one of 10 coaches, and one of two Division I coaches to be named to the ABCA Class of 2017.
"I want to thank the ABCA very much, not just for this honor, but also for what they do for college baseball, it's meant so much for me in my career," stated Peterson.
Coach Peterson became the first Division I baseball coach from the state of Tennessee to be inducted into the prestigious ABCA Hall of Fame.
Surrounded by family, friends, and former coaches, Coach Peterson gave a six minute speech giving thanks to the people that made his journey to the Hall of Fame possible.
"My family is unbelievable, which we all know what type of family we have to have," said Peterson. "My wife Rita recognized the passion I had for coaching and she allowed me fulfill it."
Peterson went on to thank former Middle Tennessee head coach, John Stanford, along with current head coach, Jim McGuire.
"Jim (McGuire) thank you so much, 20 years he spent with me or I spent with him, and that's a pretty good relationship right there for two guys to get along, so Jim thank you so much for what you did," Peterson said.
Peterson retired as Middle Tennessee's all-time winningest baseball coach with a stellar 791-637-3 record following the 2012 season and after leading the program for 25 years. Peterson also served as an assistant coach for the Blue Raiders for six years.
Coach Peterson produced 16 seasons with 30 or more wins, including a school-record 44 victories in 2009. He also had four campaigns of at least 40 wins, including 2009's 44-18 record.
Peterson already is a member of the Blue Raider Hall of Fame (2010), Huntsville-Madison County (Ala.) Athletic Hall of Fame (2009), the Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2007) and the Rutherford County Old Timers Baseball Hall of Fame (2003).
Peterson guided Middle Tennessee to 11 regular-season conference championships, nine conference tournament titles and nine NCAA Regional berths, including two at-large selections. During one stretch, he guided the Blue Raiders to a remarkable seven consecutive championships.
Watch Coach Peterson's full speech below:
The ABCA Hall of Fame Class of 2017:
Tom Austin, Methodist University (N.C.)
Scott Berry, Mayville State University (N.D.)
Jerry Boatner, West Lauderdale High School (Miss.)
Barry Chasen, Windsor High School (Conn.)
Leroy Dreyer, Blinn College (Texas)
Rick Jones, Tulane University (La.)
Wally Kincaid, Cerritos College (Calif.)
Bill Percy, St. Mary's High School (Colo.)
Steve Peterson, Middle Tennessee
Norm Schoenig, Montclair State University (N.J.)
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