Man with a Heart: Peterson moves on after 24 years at Centre years ago
Centre High School instructor Bud Peterson has been a lot of things to a lot of people during his 34 years in education.
Teacher, coach, mentor, friend, husband, father, grandfather — these are some of the terms that come to mind.
Peterson's classroom at Centre High School is replete with banners quoting past presidents and others who spoke in defense of freedom.
As an instructor in the social sciences, he is well versed in American history and political science.
One of his favorite quotes is by Yakov Smirnoff, who said, "The human spirit is not measured by the size of the act but by the size of the heart."
"Sometimes it takes a lot of heart to get through things," he said.
Peterson is leaving his alma mater this spring after being an instructor there for 24 years, but he intends to remain an integral part of the Centre community.
In 1981, he was teaching and coaching at Kingman High School when his grandmother died and he decided to come back as fifth-generation occupant of the family farm at Burdick.
"I had always wanted to come back home," he said.
He began teaching at Centre that fall. He came with 10 years of experience in teaching and coaching, including time at Colwich, Remington, and Kingman.
He teaches current affairs, American History, weight-lifting and health.
Twelve years ago, Peterson started teaching College History I and II over the TEEN network through Butler Community College.
He said it has given his students more options: either they can get out of college earlier or they can take less hours their first year.
He has made at least six trips with students to Washington, D.C., and New York City.
As an extension of his interest in history, Peterson has made numerous video tapes of interviews conducted with individuals. Some of his most rewarding are of World War II veterans within the Centre school district.
He uses the videos in his classroom as they relate to the subject at hand.
"Primary sources are the most wonderful thing you can have," he said.
For the past three or four years, he has teamed up with English instructor Jennifer Montgomery to take their students to the Eisenhower Library at Abilene to view archives and do research on topics relating to the former president.
Peterson graduated from Centre High School in 1967, and was inspired by his high school coach Fred Schwartz to pursue a career as a coach.
He played football at Bethany College, Lindsborg, for four years and graduated in 1971 with a degree in physical education and a minor in social sciences.
At 1A Norwich High School, he led his team to a state runner-up season. He also led the track-and-field teams to two consecutive state championships.
While teaching and coaching at 2A Remington, he earned a master's degree from Wichita State University.
After teaching and coaching football at Centre High School for several years, he became athletic director.
He has organized numerous regional sports tournaments, a regional scholars' bowl, and a state scholars' bowl.
"I've been more of an activities director," he said. "My strength is in getting other people to help me."
He acquired a record of 192-97 as CHS head football coach.
His record includes earning sub-state runner-up in 1988 after a 28-26 loss to Midway-Denton and state runner-up in 1990 to Almena-Northern Valley, 50-32.
In 1995, Centre defeated Mankato, 36-35, in triple overtime at the regional tournament, then fell to Little River in a game played on the home field in a snow storm.
The highlight of Peterson's career came in 1997 when his team became 1A state champions after defeating Little River, 44-18.
He stepped down and became assistant coach for three years under Justin Redecker, but has been head coach since Redecker left after three years to go to Madison.
Teaching four subjects a day, coaching, and being athletic director hasn't left Peterson much time for himself.
But he credits secretary Debi Sweet, superintendent Bob Kiblinger, and coach Greg Wyatt for their help the past few years.
He said his wife, Maureen has been supportive of him throughout his career, along with his three daughters.
Peterson praised his parents, the late Wendell Peterson and Mary Deane Peterson of Burdick for their support.
"I enjoyed having Mom and Dad at all the games," he said. "They were always there."
His daughters and their spouses are: Lisa and Bret Bye, Herington; Jennifer and Ron Schrader, Wichita; and Kelli and Cazsar Salazar, Wichita. The Petersons have seven grandchildren.
At age 57, Peterson isn't quite ready to fully retire. He plans to teach social science classes at Council Grove High School this fall and also will mentor students in the football program and assist with girls' basketball.
"The Centre community has a lot of special people and my love for my home district will be with me the rest of my life," he said.
