University of Minnesota Crookston Athletics

Clarke Peterson enters his fourth season overall as an assistant coach for the Golden Eagles after previously serving as an assistant coach during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Peterson is in year two of his current stint, arriving during the 2024 season. He currently serves as player development coach for Minnesota Crookston. Peterson played for Coach Steve Gust and the Golden Eagles from 2016-20. 

During the 2025 season, Peterson arrived after the first couple of weeks following the departure of Dalton Parks to take the head coach job at the University of Maine-Fort Kent. Peterson jumped in and helped the Golden Eagles to a NSIC Tournament spot, as they finished with 23 wins and 20 conference victories. Peterson has the versatility to help out with hitting, catching, pitching, and player development. 

Peterson most recently was the pitching director and assistant club director for Pinetar Baseball Academy in Brooklyn Park, Minn. He specialized in pitching, catching, hitting, and fielding. Prior to his appointment at Pinetar Baseball Academy, Peterson served as the Sanford Power hitting coordinator. 

"We are thrilled to have Clarke back with us," Gust stated. "He is a versatile coach who has an extensive background in exercise science and biomechanics. He will work on player development throughout the year with all players. He also has a passion for Minnesota Crookston baseball and this institution. He is a great fit for our continuing development of this program."

Peterson coached two seasons for the Golden Eagles, assisting with primarily the pitchers and strength and conditioning. In his two seasons, Minnesota Crookston won 56 games, including a program record 38 wins. The 2023 team made the NSIC Tournament, and was just one game shy of the Championship. During his time as assistant coach, the Golden Eagles had six players named All-NSIC including Jake Hjelle being named NSIC Player of the Year, Josh Dykhoff Freshman of the Year, Mike Hallquist Newcomer of the Year, and Alex Koep Pitcher of the Year. Hjelle, Hallquist, Koep, and Jake Dykhoff were all all-region selections. Hjelle was the Region Player of the Year, an All-American, and the NCBWA National Player of the Year. Koep and Hallquist were also named All-America, while Koep was the D2CCA All-Region Pitcher of the Year. 

Prior to his return to Minnesota Crookston, Peterson spent one season in 2021 as the assistant coach at Northland Community and Technical College.  Northland hit .296 as a team during the 2021 season, with 105 runs scored, 27 doubles, 17 home runs, and 95 RBIs. On the mound, they had 110 strikeouts to 81 walks.

As a player, Peterson played as both a catcher and pitcher for the Golden Eagles. He was a team leader during his time with UMN Crookston. As a junior in 2019, Peterson appeared in seven games and started two. Peterson made one appearance on the mound in 2020, pitching one shutout inning, with one hit and a strikeout.

Peterson earned his bachelor's degree from Minnesota Crookston in 2020.