Paul Peterson, A Lifetime of Athletics and Service
Wed, 10/14/2026 - 1:28pm
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Paul Peterson, A Lifetime of Athletics and Service
Paul Peterson, a 1996 graduate of Oklee High School and the son of Andy and Karen Peterson of Trail, has always dreamed of being involved in athletics. From competing at the collegiate level to coaching, officiating and helping organize athletic programs, sports have remained a constant throughout his life.
This is his story.
After graduating from Oklee High School, Peterson attended Bemidji State University, where he majored in sports management with a minor in business.
“I was part of the BSU track and field team from 1996 to 2000,” Peterson said.
As a member of the Beavers, Peterson competed in the long jump and triple jump. His collegiate athletic career would eventually earn another special distinction when the 2000 Bemidji State track and field team was inducted into the Bemidji State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022.
While still attending college, Peterson joined the National Guard in 1998. Several years later, he was deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2003-04 as part of Stabilization Force 14.
Following college, Peterson began a career that allowed him to continue doing what he loved.
From 2001 to 2020, he served as the athletic coordinator at Northland Community & Technical College. During his years at Northland, Peterson also spent two years as an assistant women’s basketball coach and four years as the head softball coach.
His contributions to Northland athletics were recognized in 2023 when Peterson was inducted into the Northland Athletics Hall of Fame.
After nearly two decades at Northland, Peterson spent a year working for Northwestern Mutual before beginning a new chapter in his career. He was hired as vice president at Security State Bank in Oklee, where he currently works.
Although his full-time career took him away from college athletics, Peterson certainly hasn’t left sports behind.
He officiates football and basketball for the Minnesota State High School League and volunteers as a track and field coach for the Thief River Falls Prowlers, primarily working with the jumpers.
Peterson also remains active in veterans’ organizations. He is a member of the Plummer American Legion, where he currently serves as adjutant, and is also a member of the Thief River Falls VFW.
One of the most important people throughout Peterson’s journey has been his high school sweetheart,
The two met through athletics when their schools consolidated for track. They later married at St. AnthoBecky (Perreault).ny’s Catholic Church in Terrebonne and have two daughters, Megan and Kayla.
Megan is in her final year at North Dakota State University, where she is completing a degree in medical laboratory sciences. Kayla is a junior at Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls.
Even with a busy work and family schedule, Peterson continues to find time for the activities he has loved throughout his life. Whether he is officiating a game, setting up an athletic event, coaching or watching his daughters compete, athletics are never far away. He also participates in the summer golf league in Thief River Falls.
“Athletics have always been a big part of my life,” Peterson said.
In 2023, Peterson and his family added another sports-related adventure to their list when they began attempting to visit every Major League Baseball stadium in the country.
“So far we have been to St. Louis, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Minnesota, Cincinnati and Denver,” Peterson said.
The challenge has given the family another way to combine two things important to Peterson — family and sports.
Through all the different chapters of his life, Peterson credits his wife as one of his biggest influences.
“Becky is my voice of reason,” he said.
He also carries with him some simple advice from his mother.
“My mom would tell me, whatever you do, to always do your best and put a smile on your face,” Peterson said. “Easy, to the point, and makes your day go better.”
Peterson said the many people he has coached with, officiated with and worked alongside over the years have also influenced him. Each has given him something he could learn from and carry forward.
From an Oklee High School athlete with dreams of keeping sports in his life to a college athlete, soldier, coach, athletic administrator, official, volunteer and Hall of Fame inductee, Peterson has certainly accomplished that goal.
And whether he is standing on the sidelines, blowing a whistle, helping a young jumper improve, watching his daughters compete or checking another Major League Baseball stadium off the family’s list, chances are athletics will continue to be part of Paul Peterson’s story for many years to come.