General | 7/24/2018 11:20:53 AM
MARYVILLE, Mo. - Northwest Missouri State University has named Andy Peterson as its’ next director of athletics. Peterson has served as the interim director of athletics since April 30 following the retirement of former director of athletics Mel Tjeerdsma.
“Andy is a Bearcat and a winner,” Northwest President Dr. John Jasinski said. “From being a leader in the classroom, on the hardwood and in athletics, his core focus has been on learning and uplifting the student-athlete experience. His roots in the northwest Missouri region run deep and his bedrock academic center – complemented by his playing, coaching and administrative experiences – yield an exciting future focus for Northwest athletics.”
Before assuming the role of interim director of athletics, he was the assistant director of facilities for five years, women’s golf head coach for four years and served as a men’s basketball assistant coach from 2011-2017. As an assistant basketball coach, Peterson was apart of NWMSU’s 2017 National Championship team and won five MIAA regular season titles and two MIAA tournament championships.
“I am beyond humbled and honored by the opportunity to be the director of athletics at Northwest Missouri State,” Peterson said. “I am excited to work with our student-athletes, coaches, staff, fans, alumni and donors everywhere to build a framework that provides the best possible experiences for all our student-athletes. It’s an exciting time in Bearcat athletics, and I can’t wait to get going to build and uplift our student-athletes, their families, our coaches and support base.”
Prior to transitioning into coaching and administration, Peterson was a men’s basketball student-athlete from 2003-2008. He helped the Bearcats win the 2008 MIAA men’s basketball tournament championship and was tabbed with All-MIAA Honorable Mention honors.
Peterson is pursuing his Doctor of Education in educational leadership and policy analysis at the University of Missouri in Columbia. He earned master’s degrees in agriculture and physical education along with bachelor’s degrees in agriculture economics and horticulture from Northwest Missouri State University.
His wife, Emily, is an assistant coach with the Bearcat cross country and track and field teams. She is also an NWMSU alumnus and former student-athlete. The couple resides in Maryville with their two children. To see the complete story from Northwest Missouri State University, click here.