In the newest issue of The Beacon, the official magazine of Bushnell University, special focus is given to those who are shining Christ's light with resilience in difficult times. 2007 Hall of Fame inductee Mike Petersen is our first in a series of Bushnell Athletics alumni who we will spotlight through BushnellBeacons.com. To see the complete Winter 2020 edition of The Beacon, click here. 

TELL ME WHAT I CAN DO. This ethic drives Mike Petersen's approach to answering God's call into involvements beyond his work life. As an affiliated staff member for Athletes in Action, Mike trains coaches from all over the world on basketball strategy and leadership practices. As a small group leader in his church, Mike exercises his love of the Bible and his pastoral approach to life. As a Trustee at Bushnell University, he brings an enormous amount of leadership savvy from driving organizations of various sizes and types. For all of these investments, Mike simply wants to serve.

Meanwhile, his work life is anything but simple. Mike is an assistant coach for the Atlanta Dream in the Women's National Basketball Association. He's also nurturing a growing career as a sports broadcaster, bringing his love of the game plus a quick sense of humor to television. Since those are very public roles in the midst of Covid-19 and racial reconciliation challenges, both unfolding dramas have affected him on numerous levels.

On the family front, Mike is grateful that no family members have contracted the virus. But living in the WNBA "bubble" in Bradenton, Florida means that Mike hasn't been with his wife Patty, or his church, or his closest friends since July 4. "It's not good. We celebrated our 42nd wedding anniversary apart, in Florida and Texas. I'm living in this beautiful resort with world-class athletic facilities, but the separation from Patty is grueling."

As for basketball, the Dream has struggled through a mediocre season. They've had positive Covid infections that have sidelined a few players and initiated quarantine protocols. Two team members opted out of the whole season, choosing to avoid the potential for health problems. Political intrigue surrounding team ownership has brought complexity to relationships within the organization and a barrage of media attention. All of these challenges landed while trying to rebuild a team with ten new players out of twelve. They've lost a number of close games. "It's hard to find the synergy you need to win a close game against a good team when we haven't been able to practice or build cohesion."

At the same time, eating, working, and playing with a diverse group of people has opened the door to significant conversations. "My life is like a Venn diagram, trying to find my place in the connecting point between two circles. At home in Texas, I'm mostly surrounded by white, older, conservative, Christian people. At work in Florida and Atlanta, I'm mostly with black, younger, progressive people from a variety of faith perspectives. I'm trying to understand everyone and encourage people in both circles."

As for diversity of race and worldview, Mike is convinced that there are "awesome people" across the spectrum of thought and ethnicity. "I don't have many answers, but I do have some observations. First, those circles really struggle to understand each other. Most of them want to understand and try very hard to understand. But second, they see events around them in such different ways, through totally different lenses. It definitely makes  for a very interesting time in our  little bubble."

For personal direction, Mike clings to the fifty-nine different "one another" admonitions in Scripture. "Of those fifty-nine 'one anothers', only one is confrontative (rebuke or reprove one another). The others are all positive. Love, serve, encourage, accept, forgive, bear with, honor, build up, comfort, live in harmony with one another. I'm going to spend most of my time on the positive fifty-eight. Maybe the rebuke comes around once out of every fifty-nine, but if I'm concentrating on the positive it helps me to be careful and  to really help people."

In looking at our country's contentious climate, Mike laments, "When did this country become a place where we can't work or socialize or worship with people who don't agree with 100% of what we believe? It diminishes the value of relationships and the color and flavor of life." Because Mike has a number of platforms, as a coach, sports broadcaster and small group leader, he looks for moments to challenge people to handle differences in a better, more textured way. "I encourage people to find someone you disagree with and go have dinner." With a laugh, he adds, "And try not to get in a fight."

Instead of running from diverse viewpoints, Mike draws them out. "I always say to my colleagues, 'Don't tell me what I already know. I need you to tell me what I don't already know.'"

As preparation for this demanding season, Mike credits his years at Bushnell for the formative aspects of his life and career. "I came to college with a very thin faith. I believed, but I really didn't know what I believed. The influence of professors, administrators, coaches, and peers grounded me in a much deeper faith, and the whole community experience changed me." As a basketball player at Bushnell, Mike scored 20.9 points per game over two seasons, placing him third on the alltime list for career scoring average. Coach Dave Lipp '71, whose legacy covered two long stints as head coach, calls Mike one of the most talented players in our history.

Playing led to coaching, and Mike's first coaching job was at Bushnell, assisting Lipp during the first of seven national Bible college and national small college championship seasons. It's no coincidence that Mike's involvement helped to launch a small college dynasty. As a passionate student of the game, Coach Lipp gave his assistants significant teaching and leadership opportunities, both to better the team and to prepare assistants to become head coaches.

Mike grew his own coaching legacy by serving as an assistant men's coach at the University of Oregon, and then head women's coach at Gonzaga, TCU, North Texas, New Mexico State, and Wake Forest. Over eight seasons and with four post-season appearances, he is the all-time winningest coach at Wake Forest. During his entire career, Mike's greatest pleasure was walking into troubled programs and bringing hope, stability, and a new winning tradition. Then he would move on to do the same at the next stop.

Bruce Shelby '84 has known Mike as teammate, coach, and fellow trustee. "Pete was one of the best players I ever played with—both athletically and intellectually. I knew Pete would make a great coach. Pete is also one of the funniest people I know, with a God-given gift for the one-liner. I'm so glad our stint as trustees has reunited us."

Among current trustees, it is not uncommon for Mike to remain silent for a while and then drop a refreshing bit of levity or the compelling piece of wisdom at just the right moment. "Mike brings to the board a wealth of diverse leadership skills and a wonderful, encouraging spirit," according to President Joseph Womack. Mike is much more modest about his part. "Serving the school in any way is a privilege." Mike credits his Bushnell experience as a key foundation to his entire life and career. "If I don't go to Bushnell, I don't have this career. Bushnell is a place that's had a tremendous impact on my life and on my family's life."

Meanwhile, Mike's impact continues to spread on the national scene. During two recent television broadcasts of Atlanta Dream games, the commentators told personal anecdotes about Mike and his wife, Patty. The first was to celebrate their wedding anniversary on the air. After congratulating the Petersens for 42 years of marriage, with humorous side notes, one commentator adds, "Mike is a brilliant offensive mind. I can see why [Atlanta Dream] coach Nicki Collen has him on her staff… Coach P has been around the game a long time on the men's and the women's side, the college game and now in the 'W'." In the second instance, another personal drama unfolds during the game. Mike is on the sideline, receiving the details of a gender reveal for his first grandchild (a girl). Again, after moments of humor and congratulations, the commentator adds, "Mike is one of the truly good guys."