Rachel Peterson named director of Grizzly Athletics at MSU-WP

A familiar face has been tapped to helm the Grizzly Athletics department at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP).

 

Rachel Peterson, a former Grizzly Cheer Team member, coach and coordinator, and the university's current director of development and annual giving, has been appointed as the new athletic director. She begins her new duties Aug. 1. She replaces Rusty Laverentz, who resigned from the post June 7.  

 

"When you need someone to do a difficult and important task, you seek out someone among your very best, and that's precisely what we've done today in naming longtime university employee Rachel Peterson as our new director of athletics for Grizzly Athletics," MSU-WP Chancellor Dennis Lancaster said. "Rachel brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and insight to this position, all of which are critically needed to guide Grizzly Athletics through our growing pains and into a more robust future.

 

"In particular, Rachel will be bringing her fund-raising skills honed during the past two years with the MSU Office of Advancement and her organizational skills developed as an executive assistant to Dr. Herb Lunday, Grizzly Athletics' first athletic director. I am excited to see what the future holds for Grizzly Athletics under Rachel's leadership," Lancaster added.

 

Keri Elrod, associate vice chancellor of athletics and community engagement, echoed the chancellor's remarks. "Rachel Peterson is an excellent choice to lead our athletics department. Her dedication to the university and her knowledge of our athletics department will be invaluable as we build our programs into the future," Elrod said.

 

"Because of her various positions on our campus, Rachel understands the importance of our athletics programs to the campus, the community and to the fans who support them," Elrod continued. "She also is well versed in the fund-raising needs that go into intercollegiate athletics. She sees the whole picture of what it takes to lead a competitive college athletics program, and her experience at various levels within the university makes her well prepared for the responsibilities of this position."

 

Peterson has a long history with MSU-WP and the athletic department. As a student, she was a member of the Grizzly Cheer Team from 1996-1997. Beginning in 2000, she served as the administrative assistant to the dean of student services/athletic director for five years. She also served as cheer team head coach and, later, as cheer team coordinator from 2003-2021. During that time, the team included as many as 18 student-athletes in one season.

 

From 2005-2021, Peterson worked in the admissions office recruiting students. In December 2021, she was appointed assistant director of annual giving and alumni relations with the university advancement office. In July 2022, she was appointed director of development and annual giving in the university advancement office.

 

"Transitioning to the athletic director's post is an exciting opportunity. I enjoy big projects where I can assist with campus growth and student success. The expansion of Grizzly Athletics is certainly a big project that can introduce more students to higher education," Peterson said.

 

"During my time as a Grizzly Cheer Team member and later working with Dr. Lunday, I learned much regarding collegiate athletics, the NJCAA, compliance and fundraising. Dr. Lunday has been a great mentor to me," she added.

 

"Having been a Grizzly over half my life, attending as many athletic events as possible, I'm proud of our student-athletes and alumni," she continued. "Missouri State-West Plains is the best place to receive a quality education from dedicated faculty and staff. We're going to continue to make sure our athletes are prepared on the court, the field or arena, as well as in the classroom."

 

Peterson received an Associate of Arts in General Studies degree from MSU-WP in 2003 and a Bachelor of Science in General Studies from MSU in 2020. She is a two-time recipient of the Student Government Association's Staff Appreciation Award (2009, 2019), and she received the MSU Staff Excellence in University Service Award in 2008 and the Staff Excellence in Community Service Award in 2014.

 

Peterson said she is looking forward to working at MSU-WP in this new capacity. "The coaching staff, the Grizzly Club Board members, community, and fans have been tremendous to work with in my various roles at the university and it will be fun to see how the entire team comes together to build on the success of Grizzly Athletics!"

 

For more information about Grizzly Athletics, visit MSUWPGrizzlies.com.

To contact Peterson, email RachelPeterson@MissouriState.edu.