BGSU Decades Celebration – 1965: Shaping an Era: Pat Peterson and the Growth of Falcon Sports
Matt Markey, BGSU Athletics
9/12/2025
In the mid-1960s, Pat Peterson stepped onto the Bowling Green campus at a time when both the University and its athletics programs were in the midst of transformation. What began as a young educator’s pursuit of teaching in one of the Midwest’s premier physical education programs soon evolved into a pioneering role in Falcon women’s athletics. Peterson became Bowling Green’s first volleyball coach in the AWIA/NCAA era while also leading the basketball and field hockey programs, all while witnessing the rise of championship teams, new facilities, and the launch of men’s lacrosse and soccer. More than 60 years later, her perspective captures a decade of growth and change that laid the foundation for today’s Falcon tradition. As part of the BGSU Decades Celebration, this is her story of teaching, coaching, and helping open the door for women in sport at Bowling Green.
When Pat Peterson arrived in Bowling Green more than 60 years ago, a decade of great change, growth, and accomplishment was unfolding.
Enrollment was increasing and the campus was expanding with the addition of the iconic athletic facilities Memorial Hall and the Ice Arena, and the Student Health Center.
Peterson, who would go on to coach the Falcon women’s teams in basketball, field hockey, and volleyball, had a ringside seat in 1965 to witness the football team in championship mode, the launch of men’s programs in lacrosse and soccer, and some outstanding individual performances in baseball and men’s basketball.
She also saw the foundation for the women’s programs starting to take shape.
“Early in the 1960s, everything was football and basketball as far as men’s sports go, but then things started to change,” said Peterson, who is recognized as Bowling Green’s first volleyball coach in the AWIA/NCAA era. “The University was starting to expand its sports programs.”
The southwest Ohio native had taught at the high school level before earning her master’s degree and seeking a position on the BGSU faculty.
“I wanted to teach in a university-level women’s physical education program, and at the time, Bowling Green had one of the best physical education programs in the Midwest,” Peterson said. “It provided the impetus for developing our strong women’s programs, and that was something to be proud of.”
The decade of the sixties also served up many other momentous events for Falcon athletics.
- The BG baseball team recorded a 3-1 win over Notre Dame in May of 1965, and then saw Falcon infielder Wayne Burdette drafted by the New York Mets. While in the Mets’ minor league system, Burdette was playing first base when future Baseball Hall of Famer and teammate Nolan Ryan pitched his first professional no-hitter.
- The Falcon football team went 7-2 in 1965 and tied for the Mid-American Conference championship in its first season under head coach Bob Gibson. Bowling Green outscored the opposition 123-107 in the season and went 5-1 in the MAC.
- Men’s lacrosse was added as a varsity sport at Bowling Green in 1965 under the direction of head coach Mickey Cochrane, and the program would go on to produce 14 All-Americans and win more than 75 percent of its games.
- The legendary Cochrane also led the men’s soccer team in its first season in 1965, putting the foundation in place for that successful program, which enters its 61st season in the fall of 2025.
- BG basketball player Bob Dwors was one of just five players in the country to earn a prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, graduating in 1965 with a 3.22 GPA and a degree in business. In his senior season, Dwors was a unanimous first team All-Mid-American Conference selection and one of the top scorers in the nation with 23.0 points per game.
Bowling Green had one of the best physical education programs in the Midwest.
Pat Peterson
Pat Peterson was Bowling Green’s first volleyball coach in the AWIA/NCAA era.
In a 2018 interview, the then 75-year-old Dwors recalled the portion of the decade of the 1960s that he spent on the Bowling Green campus as a truly memorable time period.
"If someone were to ask me, I'd probably say those were some of the greatest years of my life," Dwors said at the time. "With the success we had in basketball, and everything else that was going on at the campus, it was a great time to be at Bowling Green.”
Peterson, whose name is attached to the Patricia Peterson Academic Achievement award, given to any volleyball player who earns a 4.0 grade point average for a semester, has a perspective similar to that expressed by Dwors.
“In the sixties, the university was starting to expand its sports programs, and the culture was shifting. We were seeing that women can be athletes, too, so it was an exciting time to be a part of,” Peterson said. “For me, Bowling Green was the best place to be.”
In the sixties, the university was starting to expand its sports programs, and the culture was shifting. We were seeing that women can be athletes, too, so it was an exciting time to be a part of. For me, Bowling Green was the best place to be.
Pat Peterson
Latest Athletics News
- Falcons Host Home Debut with Mel Brodt Collegiate OpenBOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The Bowling Green women's cross country team opened its home slate Friday at the Mel Brodt Collegiate Open, placing second to Toledo with 34 points to the Rockets' 21.
- Cochrane Inducted into OCSA Hall of Fame; Will Be Recognized at Sept. 26 BGSU Men’s Soccer MatchBowling Green State University legend Mickey Cochrane has received yet another honor, and will be recognized at an upcoming BGSU men's soccer match
- BGSU Decades Celebration: Falcons in 1965
- Mike Wilcox Inducted into BGSU Academy of Distinguished AlumniBOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Bowling Green State University officially inducted Michael R. Wilcox into its Academy of Distinguished Alumni during a ceremony Thursday evening, inside the Bowen-Thompson Student Union's Lenhart Grand Ballroom. Established in 2011, the Academy represents one of the University's highest honors, recognizing alumni whose extraordinary achievements reflect positively on their alma mater and communities.
- Falcon Insider with Derek van der Merwe: September 4
- Bowling Green Athletics Announces Wood County Hospital as Official Medical ProviderBOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Bowling Green State University Athletics has announced Wood County Hospital (WCH) as its official medical provider, effective July 1, 2025. This continued partnership with WCH enhances the level of care available to Falcon student-athletes and extends medical coverage to additional campus groups, including the Falcon Marching Band, spirit teams, and club sports.
