In his four seasons, Petersen has paced Clayton State to three
straight Peach Belt Conference regular season championships (2005,
2006, 2007), two Peach Belt Conference Tournament championships
(2005, 2007) and three NCAA Division II National Tournament berths
(2004, 2005, 2007). In addition the Lakers advanced to the "Sweet
16" of the NCAA Division II National Tournament in both 2004 and
2005.
Consistently ranked in the Division II Top 25 in Petersen’s
tenure, Clayton State finished 15th in the nation in 2004, 12th in
the nation in 2005 and 22nd in the nation last season. Petersen’s
2005 Laker squad was ranked as high as sixth in the nation, while
last season’s team was ranked as high as fifth nationally.
Overall, Peterson is 49-21-10 in his four seasons at Clayton State,
making him the second-winningest head coach in Laker men’s soccer
history. In addition, his .700 winning percentage is the highest of
any men’s soccer head coach ever at Clayton State. That includes a
17-5-3 mark in Peach Belt Conference play and 23-6-3 in NCAA
Division II Region play.
He’s produced four All-Americans, 14 All-Region selections and 17
All-Peach Belt Conference players. On top of that, Clayton State has
had two Peach Belt Conference Freshman of the Year winners and one
Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year honoree under Petersen.
Petersen himself has also been recognized by the Peach Belt,
winning conference Coach of the Year honors both in 2005 and 2007.
Prior to arriving at Clayton State for the 2004 season, Petersen
most recently served as the Academy Director for the Norcross (GA)
Soccer Association, overseeing approximately 1,400 players. Before
his three years at Norcross, he served for seven years in the
professional ranks, working as a general manager, head coach and
president of four professional soccer teams (South Carolina
Shamrocks, Jacksonville Cyclones, Raleigh Express and Atlanta
Silverbacks). He had a combined record of 46-44-1 in the United
Soccer Leagues.
Petersen was president of the Atlanta Silverbacks of the A-League
from 2000-01 and helped lead the franchise to the playoffs, its
first appearance in six years. The franchise also received the 2001
Most Improved Club Peer-Rating award and excelled in developing
community programs such as a Hispanic Outreach, Super Y Youth teams
and local professional camps.
Petersen’s collegiate background also includes 10 years total of
head coaching experience. In addition to his tenure at Clayton
State, he was also head coach at Spartanburg Methodist College where
he compiled an impressive 79-28-6 mark in six seasons. Petersen’s
top season came in 1994, leading the Spartanburg Methodist squad to
the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National
Championship. He was also named the National Soccer Coaches
Association of America (NSCAA) Coach of the Year that same season.
In addition to his time at both Clayton State and Spartanburg
Methodist, Petersen was also an assistant for two seasons at NCAA
Division I Davidson and one season at his Alma Mater, Presbyterian.
Professionally, Petersen, a United States Soccer Federation (USSF)
"A" License and NSCAA "Premier" certified coach, has coached 10
national team members, both U.S. and non-U.S. players, three U.S.
Olympic team members, 11 major league professional players, five
A-League All-Stars and one Rookie of the Year.
Petersen received his Bachelor of Science degree in History from
Presbyterian in 1985, and his Master’s degree in Sports Science from
the United States Sports Academy in 1989. As a standout player at
Presbyterian, Petersen is currently ranked sixth all-time in goals
scored for the Blue Hose. He was a two-time NAIA All-Region
selection and an NAIA and NSCAA All-American selection as a senior.
The son of missionary parents, Petersen grew up in West Africa
(Ghana and Nigeria) from 1967-1981. After graduating from
Presbyterian, he served as a Platoon Leader with the 82
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