The Coyote Foundation is honoring Coach Pedersen with its first-ever Coyote Legend award!

His son, Tom Pedersen, shares some history of his father and our school:

Coach Pedersen loved his time in Williston and believed that the support he received from parents, community members, teachers and administrators, assistant coaches and of course tremendous young men was paramount to his success. It was a wonderful place to live, coach, teach and raise a family. Both his children, Tom and Diane, were born at the Good Samaritan hospital and his wife, Genevieve, was active in the community. His time as a high school and college athlete and with the 5th Division Marines on Iwo Jima taught him the importance of leadership, self- discipline, and hard work. He knew that athletics were a metaphor for life; How to get up when you’re knocked down and the strength of team- work and common goals. For Coach Pedersen, football, as well as the other sports he coached and taught (boy’s physical education, basketball, wrestling, track and field), was a place to develop one’s character, potential and a lifelong healthy active lifestyle. 

Learn the lessons of WHS history. The Coyote Legacy can be rekindled on this beautiful new facility…. Legends Field. A dedication to excellence, teamwork and a commitment to continue a rich tradition will make this homecoming field special and one my father would be very proud to have his name on. 

Tom Pedersen 

Coyote History 1950-1963 

WHS has had a long history of competitive and excellent athletic teams, athletes, and coaches. When H. L. Pedersen (Pete) arrived in 1950, the Coyotes had the memories of Joe Cutting’s 1928 championship football team. However, recent history had been tough on the win/loss column and the first two years (1950-51) of his Williston coaching career only produced two wins. He worked to install a winning attitude into those young men by stressing discipline, fundamentals, and a never give up attitude. Many of those athletes began taking about being champions at the end of the 1951 season! At the time, the dirt football field was at Harmon Park and was named after Joe Cutting. In the fall of 1952 Coach Pedersen moved the field to the new site for the high school (now the junior high) and planted grass. That season on the new field, they saw their hard work, determination, and belief in each other pay off when they tied for the state championship against Fargo Shanley. They were building their own tradition. 

Over the next HLP years (1952-63), the Coyotes were always a team to be reckoned with and in a small ND town, he had to be innovative to win. He had his athletes trying gymnastics, wrestling, and weight training to stay in shape and increase their agility. Pete received his master’s degree, read books, attended clinics, and studied film to stay current and adapt his style of play to the talent he had on the field. One of his finest teams was the 1962 squad (best in the Western Dakota Conference) that played for the mythical state title against Fargo Central, the largest school in ND (best in the Eastern Conference). They lost that heart breaker game on a goal line fumble. He taught them life lessons from both winning and losing. Many of these athletes went on to very successful college athletic careers and were captains of their teams and on their universities 100- year team. Several became coaches and are in their states Hall of Fame. 

Reflections 

Harold L. Pedersen held the title of Athletic Director, Head Football Coach, Track Coach, Basketball Coach, Head Wrestling Coach – known as “The Father of Wrestling in North Dakota.” 

H.L. was a very good coach. It’s always fun to win and his teams were very successful. Many of his players went on to play college football. I saw a picture from the 1964 UND team and there were five Coyotes on that team. 

A great inspiration to a lot of youth!!! 

HLP was in the inaugural class of the North Dakota Wrestling Hall of Fame. 

Coach Pedersen embodies what it means to be a Coyote. 

He had more influence on me than anyone in my life. 

Great mentor. Was there for me in high school and at UND.. 

Great person and coach.

He was a real jack of all trades when it came to coaching! 

Coach Pedersen is among the top football coaches of all time in ND history. 

Coach Pedersen started wrestling in ND and is in the North Dakota Wrestling Hall of Fame. 

One of the finest mentors in my life. 

“I feel so blessed to have received a rock-solid education at WHS. All my teachers were important but especially Coach Pedersen. 

H.L. Pederson is our legend. 

Where would I be today if he (Coach Pedersen) hadn’t… 

Next to my dad, Coach was the greatest influence on my life. 

“I credit Coach Pedersen for my finishing high school after the loss of my father. 

We (athletes) thought H L was getting us ready for our next game. He was, but more importantly Coach Pedersen was also preparing us for the bigger game of life. Coach Pedersen’s exhortation, “If you quit now, I know you’ll quit in the fourth quarter against Minot.” 

Influenced by his Marine Corps service, his rules for players were as follows: “Be on tie; Stand up straight; Keep your mouth shut; Look out for your teammates; Be tough; and Play hard!” 

I consider [Coach Pedersen] one of the major influences in my life as he was involved in my athletic career on a daily basis all three years at WHS. He taught discipline, hard work and leadership. 

Coach Pedersen taught his players how to win and how to lead. 

Coach Pedersen’s players always respected him and learned to love him. 

H L Pedersen has contributed to youth of WHS and the State of North Dakota his whole life.H L Pedersen was also president of the School Board. 

H L Pederson was, for many young Williston boys, the leader and mentor who always had our full attention. H L was always vigorously encouraging his players to give more of themselves, more to the team, and more to life! 

The direction and determination I took to heart during my 31 years of active duty in the Marine Corps took their roots from my coach, H L Pederson. 

H L was more than a great coach, but a great example of how to live your life. 

Please share your comments of Coach Pedersen!