Walter Peterson
Of all the great athletes, the successful coaches, the superb teams and the memorable seasons, there is no one symbol more identifiable with Franklin Pierce University
athletics than Walter Peterson.

Walter Peterson was FP
President from 1975 to 1995, and in that time The College experienced tremendous growth and prosperity. That certainly held true for the intercollegiate athletics program.

FP
athletics in the early years of the college consisted of a handful of teams that were, at best, competitive. Peterson transformed the program into one that competed on the national level and helped build the prestige of The College.

The program was first centered around a men's basketball program that, through the support of Peterson and the guidance of Bruce Kirsh, the former coach who is now the Athletic Director at FPC, made six trips to Kansas City for the NAIA national tournament. In one amazing seven-year stretch, the team averaged 26 wins a year.

But Peterson's vision for the athletic program did not stop there. He saw to it that teams across the board were not only competitive, but were able to challenge for conference titles and draw quality student-athletes.

He backboned the move from the NAIA to the more competitive and prestigious NCAA Division II, and a spot in the New England Collegiate Conference.

During his time, FP
was represented in national tournaments in men's soccer, women's soccer soccer, men's tennis, men's basketball, women's basketball and ice hockey. Teams also went to postseason tournaments in volleyball, baseball and softball.

More importantly, Peterson helped insure that FP
student-athletes were students first, earning a myriad of academic honors. In fact, the women's soccer team has not only won five national championships, but has also been honored by the NCAA for its academic achievements.