Coleman High School classes host reunion and dedicate football bench

COLEMAN – The Coleman High School Classes of 1981 and 1982 held their 45-year reunion on Sept. 11 and Sept. 12 in the Coleman and Pound area.

The reunion weekend featured the dedication of a football bench in honor of longtime Cougar coach and teacher Doug Peterson on Friday, Sept. 11, before the Cougars took on Crandon.

Peterson was 75 years old when he passed on Monday, May 19, 2025. He taught school in the Coleman School District for 35 years before retiring in 2008. During those 35 years, he held a variety of coaching positions, including many years as the head coach of the Cougar high school football team.

A 15-foot CHS logoed team bench was purchased with over 30 contributions made by Coleman High School alumni, community members and family members and friends of Mr. Peterson.

The dedication stated, “While we mourn the loss of Mr. Peterson, we also celebrate the incredible person he was and the lasting impact he had on our lives. His legacy of leadership, kindness and inspiration will continue to guide us every day, and his memory will live in our hearts and in the lives of those he taught and coached in Coleman.”

Organizers thanked all the people who made purchasing the commemorative bench possible and participated in the dedication. They also thanked coach Jeff Bronson and the Cougar football team for joining Susan Peterson and her family to dedicate the bench.

The weekend also featured class socials at Bob and Laura’s in Pound, Ray’s Boneyard in Coleman and Gilly’s Old Habits in Pound. Classmates took tours of their old elementary school — now Faith Christian School — as well as their former junior high and high schools. The classes look forward to their 50-year reunion in 2031.