Humboldt State Athletics

By Ray Hamill — Legendary Humboldt State strength and conditioning coach Drew Petersen has been honored by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).

Petersen, who has touched the lives of countless HSU student athletes over the years, was named a Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach Emeritus (RSCCE).

To receive the honor, a coach must have demonstrated experience and knowledge in their field for 20 or more years.

“It is awesome that our Lumberjack Iron Strength and Conditioning program is nationally recognized,” Petersen said. “That is a testament to the work done by our student athletes throughout the years, especially the ones who have gone on to careers in the sports performance field as professional, collegiate and private sector strength coaches.”

During his time at HSU, the popular Lumberjacks coach has coached 41 strength and conditioning All-Americans and mentored four Division-I strength and conditioning coaches.

Former HSU athletes have always talked enthusiastically of the influence Petersen has had on their athletic careers and lives.

Petersen was actually first honored as an RSCCE back in 2012, when he was was one of just 35 honorees in the nation. 

The honor is renewed every three years, making this the fourth time Petersen has been named an RSCCE.

The Olivehust, Calif., native began the year-round strength and conditioning program at HSU in 1991, and is responsible for all of university’s weight-room activities and classes, while supervising a staff of one graduate teaching assistant and 12 student assistants.

Petersen is a US Marine Corps veteran.

His son Bryce is a Division-I starting center for the Akron Zips.