GWsports.com - The official site of George Washington University Athletics

Steve Peterson is in his fifth year as head coach of the GW Rowing program. A former Olympic and National Team rower, Peterson directs the rowing program while working primarily with the women's varsity. Under his leadership, the GW women have developed into one of the more successful women's programs on the east coast. In just his first four seasons at GW, Peterson's first varsity eight has compiled an impressive 82-23 (.781 winning percentage) regular-season record, captured two Champion International Collegiate Regatta titles, and gone on to compete at the NCAA Championships. In addition to coaching at GW, Peterson has twice been named coach of the US Lightweight Women's National Team, which has competed at the 2000 World Rowing Championships and the 1999 Pan American Games. His crews have gone on to win a silver medal at the World Championships and two silver and one bronze medals at the Pan Am Games. The 2000 season brought another personal success for Peterson, as he was named the Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year.

Peterson is a 1985 graduate of the University of Rhode Island where he earned bachelor's degrees in marketing and education. As a rower at URI, his lightweight 8 crews won the Dad Vail championships twice in 1982 and 1984. He served as an assistant coach for his alma mater from 1986-87 and was URI's head coach from 1989-91. While coaching at URI, Peterson guided the Rams to victories at the New England Championships, Dad Vails and Women's Eastern Sprints. He left URI in 1992 to accept the position of head coach for the varsity lightweight men's crew at Rutgers University, where he would coach until 1995.

A native of Cumberland, RI, Peterson rowed for the US Olympic team in the men's lightweight double sculls at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and is a six-time US National team member. He was also a 1990 World Champion in the lightweight men's double sculls. That same year, he was awarded the Vesper Cup for outstanding and inspirational achievement in international competition. He also received a bronze medal at the 1989 World University games and has won over 50 national championship medals during his 16 year rowing career. His success in the sport of rowing, recently earned him a place in the University of Rhode Island's Athletic Hall of Fame.

Peterson resides in Washington, DC with his wife, Meredith, and their dogs, Murphy and Cricket.