Murfreesboro, TN – WGNS broadcast the dedication of the Steve Peterson Champions Plaza at Reese Smith Jr. Field, prior to first pitch of the Conference USA battle between the Blue Raiders and Dallas Baptist. The final was 8-5, MTSU on top
The Steve Peterson Champions Plaza (SPCP) honors the former coach's legacy to Middle Tennessee baseball, along with the numerous championship teams he coached. The plaza also honors all championship teams prior to the Peterson era, as well as those to come.
SPCP displays championship flags set on marble foundations from each championship season. The marble foundations will have engraved plaques with the names of each coach, player and manager associated with that specific championship team.
It will also include a legacy memorial honoring Coach Peterson with his likeness and highlighting his legendary career as the all-time winningest baseball coach at Middle Tennessee.
Honoring Coach Peterson in this way assures his name will always be associated with Blue Raider baseball, along with the players, managers and coaches who were part of his championship legacy.
Peterson is also remembered for the dreams the groundhog had, and he would share those with the audiences that packed the yearly February 2nd events. In fact, Peterson was “live” on WGNS one morning prior to the luncheon when he shared the approach that he used to look ahead at the coming season.
Steve Peterson, the all-time winningest coach in Middle Tennessee baseball history, passed away at St. Thomas Hospital on March 12, 2020, after suffering a heart attack earlier that week.
At his death, MTSU’s Chip Walters shared this observation…
Coach Pete was a regular on WGNS, and just days before his death, he said…
Thanks for the memory, Coach Pete. The next time you’re at Reese Smith Jr. Field, stroll through Steve Peterson’s Champions Plaza—you’ll sense the groundhog’s next vision.
