Augsburg University Athletics

A member of Auggie football teams that finished 17-15-1 during his career and came within a point of contending for the MIAC championship in 1964, Peterson was a key two-way player (running back/ defensive back) for the Auggies. His Auggies consistently improved throughout his career and reached a peak in 1964, when the Auggies finished 6-3 overall and 5-2 in the MIAC. He earned team Most Valuable Player and team captain honors in 1964, as well as being named All-MIAC and All-Region first team (defensive safety). He also ran on Augsburg’s track and field team. After graduating from Augsburg, Peterson joined the Air Force, receiving his officer’s commission in 1966 and his pilot wings in 1967, serving his country in Okinawa and the Vietnam War. He resigned his commission in 1973 to join Braniff Airlines, and when that airline went bankrupt in 1982, he and a small group of other Braniff employees, along with Mainline Travel, founded Sun Country Airlines. He served as the airline’s vice president of operations until the airline was sold in1988. He returned to the cockpit as a DC-10 captain and a B-727 captain. He currently works for the Federal Aviation Administration as a Aviation Safety Inspector.  Peterson and his wife Haydee have two daughters, Kelly and Christina, and several grandchildren, and live in Minneapolis, Minnesota.