Olympian Derrick Peterson Added to Full-Time Staff
9/12/2007 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
Sept. 12, 2007
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Olympian and University of Missouri Intercollegiate Hall of Fame Member Derrick Peterson has been hired on to the full-time track and field coaching staff as announced by the athletics department Tuesday. Peterson, who was added as a part-time assistant coach prior to last season, will continue to work with Mizzou sprinters.
"I certainly appreciate the support from our athletic director, Mike Alden and his associate Mark Alnutt, in allowing me to expand our staff, and to bring Derrick into this new position at this time," said Head Coach Rick McGuire.
Peterson's athletic resume as a career 800-meter runner is one of the best among all facets of Mizzou athletics history. Originally from Waycross, Ga., Peterson made the U.S. Olympic Team for the 2004 Athens Games after placing third and running for a personal-best time of 1:45.08 at the USATF Olympic Team Trials in Sacramento, Calif.
The former two-time NCAA Champion and six-time All-American is still the American collegiate record holder in the indoor 800-meter run after his winning time of 1:45.88 at the 1999 NCAA Indoor Championships in Indianapolis, Ind. In addition, Peterson won an unmatched eight Big 12 Conference titles in his event and still stands as the only conference athlete to have swept titles in all four years of eligibility in both the indoor and outdoor seasons.
"I couldn't be happier," said McGuire. "Derrick has been such a big part of our Missouri Track Family for the past ten years, it's just a natural fit for him to now move into a full time coaching role. While Derrick is certainly one of the absolutely greatest Missouri Track and Field athletes ever, and is known for his extraordinary career as a middle distance runner, he is also an astute student of the full range of events in the sport of track and field."
Peterson, in his years as a collegian from 1997 to 2000, was a nine-time overall Big 12 Champion, 15-time All-Big 12 performer, and five-time Drake Relays Champion. Peterson holds both the Mizzou school records in both the indoor and outdoor 800-meter run. At the World University Games, Peterson won a gold medal as a member of the 1600-meter relay team and won both silver (2001) and bronze (1999) in the 800.
"He is an accomplished ambassador for the sport of track, for the University of Missouri, and for the entire U.S. Olympic movement," added McGuire. "I am so proud of Derrick, and especially pleased to add Derrick to our staff and to support him in developing his professional career as a coach. This will be great for our team, great for our staff, great for the University and great for Derrick."
Peterson also qualified for the 2001 IAAF World Indoor Championships and the 2004 IAAF World Championships.
Peterson is a 2000 graduate from the University with a degree in hotel and restaurant management.
Peterson was inducted into the University of Missouri's Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame, elected on the first ballot as part of the Class of 2005. Peterson is also a member of the Georgia High School Hall of Fame.
Derrick and his wife, the former Liz Young, a prior Mizzou heptathlete and captain, live in Columbia and are parents to baby Athena that was born this March.
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