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Inductee
PETERSON, JAMES A.
PETERSON, JAMES A.
Born on November 8, 1925
Elkhart, IN
December 30, 2020.
Inducted On
July 31, 1993
Location Inducted
Nappanee, IN
Region Number
2
Elkhart
Player
Elkhart
1943
Played varsity football 3 years; vice-president of senior class.

Served in the US Marines immediately after high school.
Hanover College; Indiana University MA
1950
3-year First Team Hoosier College Conference Quarterback; 3-year First Team Quarterback on Little All-State College Football Team chosen by AP; Little All-PHI; Little All-American Honorable Mention (AP) 1947; named to Tom Harmon's Little All-American Team 1948; Nation's Small College Leader in passing and total offense in 1948, passing for 484 yards in one game alone, and 1,428 total yards in an eight game season.
Served 7 1/2 years as Superintendent of Recreation in Evansville; joined the IU faculty as a specialist in recreation and parks, becoming Professor Emeritus in the Department of Recreation and Parks Administration; also worked with the Cooperative Extension Service of Purdue University; retired after 33 years in recreation and park management.
Wife, Janice (deceased); children, Craig (deceased) and Christina; 4 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren.
Professional Athletic Background: Tried out with Pittsburgh Steelers 1950; played semi-pro with Indianapolis All-Stars in 1950.