ASHEVILLE - Bruce Peterson has been able to touch the lives of many people in Western North Carolina because of athletics. First, as a four-sport star at Lee Edwards High School in the 1950s and later as a coach and athletic director at Asheville High, Peterson earned a reputation as an athlete and coach who was admired for his accomplishments o­n and off the field.

Those accomplishments will be recalled tonight when he is inducted into the WNC Sports Hall of Fame during the WNC Sports Award Banquet at The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa. The ceremony is hosted by the Mountain Amateur Athletic Club.

"This award means a lot to me because it was selected by my peers," said Peterson, who is also a member of the N.C. High School Athletic Hall of Fame as well as a member of the Western Carolina University Hall of Fame. "I'm honored to be inducted because this is an outstanding achievement."

After playing basketball, football, tennis and running track at Lee Edwards, Peterson moved o­n to the armed forces where he eventually competed o­n the boxing team for the Army in Frankfurt, Germany.

Peterson then went o­n to Western Carolina where he earned 11 letters. He's most proud of receiving a $300 paycheck for being the tennis coach during his senior year.

"That was back when it was all right to do that," he said.

He ended his official involvement in athletics when he resigned as athletic director and football coach at Asheville High in 1983. During his nine years as head coach, Peterson led the Cougars to the playoffs seven times.

As an administrator Peterson was named the 1991 Buncombe County Principal of the Year when he was at Enka High.

Former Asheville High quarterback Terry Gahagan remembers Peterson as someone who epitomizes what a teacher and coach should be.

"He was a big influence, o­n and off the field," Gahagan said. "He was extremely dedicated to his job and the kids involved with it. He, along with a few other teachers and coaches at Asheville High, made a tremendous difference in my life."

When told of those comments Peterson said, "Well, that's just the ultimate compliment a person can hear. I've always said, kids don't know how much you know, until they know how much you care." Contact Porter at 232-5832 or GPorter@CITIZEN-TIMES.com.