(Elk Horn) Friday’s guest on the Why I Coach podcast is Exira-EHK’s Tony Petersen. Between girls basketball, baseball, and boys golf Petersen has taken a half dozen teams to state.
Petersen was the head coach in girls basketball for Elk-Horn Kimballton’s state tourney appearances in 1992 and 1997. His baseball squads qualified for state in 1990 and 2000. His career record in baeball is 513-265. The boys golf squad has made it to state in each of the last two years.
Petersen admits there are highs and lows that come with coaching, but the tough times are usually as bad as they seem. He says coaching, “Sure helps keep a guy young and keeps your hopping on your toes.” He says there are a lot of other benefits of the profession. “It’s working with kids, it’s meeting people and trying to help those guys and gals improve. Hopefully they can pick up some life lessons along the way. It’s a great job.”
Petersen’s dad Lloyd coached little league for over 30 years and Tony has a twin brother Terry who has had a very successful run coaching football in Missouri. In all he has six siblings that have all been involved in coaching. Over the years he’s tried to surround himself with people he can learn from. “If I can keep my mouth shut and keep my ears open it’s amazing how much a guy can pick up. I haven’t ever been the world’s brightest or most ingenious mind, but when you pick up one or two things every year and then you do this for 30-some years you end up being almost intelligent.”
Previous Coaches
Eric Maassen, (AHST grad) Sheldon
Jerome Hoegh, Atlantic grad (West Sioux)
Gaylord Schelling, Atlantic and Tri-Center
Eric Stein (Harlan grad) Iowa Central
Darrell Burmeister, Nodaway Valley
