Peterson’s duties will focus on assisting the NCEA achieve its goal of reaching NCAA Championship status. He will be the primary architect of the NCEA’s strategic plan and will author a white-paper document that will explain the sport of equestrian to potential NCEA sponsoring institutions. Peterson will work in conjunction with the NCEA’s Emerging Sports Task Force and will collect accurate statistics and data related to finances and opportunities to promote the sport more precisely.
“We are excited to have Rob working with the NCEA,” Cunningham said. “He is vested in our sport and very passionate about its progress as an emerging sport in the NCAA. He brings unique experience as a collegiate athletics administrator, as well as knowledge of the sport of equestrian. We look for his role with the NCEA to be very valuable for our organization.”
Peterson is in his second year as a Consulting Associate for CarrSports Consulting, LLC, which specializes in intercollegiate athletics. His primary focus is strategic planning with an emphasis on financial and facility management. He also has coordinated the development of two athletics facility master plans.
Peterson most recently served as the Senior Associate AD for Internal Operations at South Dakota State University (2000 – 2014). Prior to SDSU Peterson held the positions of Coordinator of Events, Facilities and Projects at Fresno State University (1997 – 2000) and Assistant Director of Recreation – Facilities at Northern Michigan University (1995-1997).
Peterson has been a member of the NCEA’s Championship and Selection Committees, and has also served as the NCAA Division II Regional Chair for baseball (2004). He is a member of the Collegiate Athletic Business Managers Association (CABMA) and the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA).
Peterson holds a B.S. in physical education from Northern Michigan University and a M.A. in sports administration from Central Michigan University. He also completed a collegiate marketing internship with NMU athletics and a professional sports administration internship with the Green Bay Packers, both in 1993.
Peterson currently resides in his hometown of Marquette, Mich.