The Falcon   |   Volume 83, Issue 53

Published 5/29/13   |   Log In

Same city, different school

Seattle U transfer Peterman shines in starting role

By JOHN HEDDLES, Staff Reporter

Published: October 17, 2012

When it came time for senior Kyle Peterman to map out the next direction in his collegiate soccer career, there was really only one option.

“I’d been recruited to both Seattle Pacific and Seattle University,” Peterman said. “So when it came time to transfer, one of my main considerations was staying in the area, because I wanted to keep my friends and connections, and I liked Seattle.”

Peterman is a second-year senior forward on the Seattle Pacific men’s soccer team. Previously he played for Seattle University. Growing up in Boise, Idaho, he began playing soccer at an early age and developed a passion.

“I probably started playing when I was four or five and then started playing more competitively when I was 11,” Peterman said. “I played club in Idaho all the way through high school. I’m drawn to it because I feel like it brings out different parts of me that people wouldn’t otherwise see.”

While attending Centennial High School in Boise, Peterman was a local star. He led his Patriots team to a state title in 2005 and was a three-time letterman. After being recruited by multiple colleges to play soccer, he ultimately decided on Seattle University for his freshman year in fall of 2008. Peterman shined as a Redhawk, leading the team in goals and total points his first season and remaining a consistent quality contributor throughout his time there. However, after his junior year, Peterman decided it was time for a change.

“We were able to provide Kyle the opportunity to continue playing the sport he loves, while simultaneously attending a great school,” SPU head coach Mark Collings said. “We were happy to have him, and it’s great to finally have him playing out on the field this season.”

When Peterman was deciding where to transfer, SPU’s small-school feel and emphasis on community and student-professor relations really stood out to him.

“I feel like it’s pretty rare to be on a first-name basis with your professors and be able to go in, and if you’re having trouble, to ask them for help,” Peterman said. “You have a lot of leniency that you wouldn’t otherwise have. There’s a lot of opportunity for travel in different programs, like my internship program through the business school, and I got very fortunate with that. If I were at a big-name school, there wouldn’t’ have been any support like that.”

Formerly a computer science major at Seattle University, Peterman is now pursuing his degree in business. One of the advantages of being at SPU for Peterman was the opportunity to travel to India this past summer through an internship program.

“It was an internship with a micro-finance company,” Peterman said. “I went to Northeast India and worked with them, helping them revise their website and do some suppliant interviews. I really enjoyed it just because it gives you another perspective on the world. It lets you see the real world and the way the majority of the population is living. Being able to take that back here and trying to apply what I’ve learned, I just think it’s all pretty interesting.”

After redshirting last year, Peterman sustained an injury in the spring that prevented him from playing with the squad. Now he’s healthy and a starter on the Falcons’ roster.

“It feels great to be playing again,” Peterman said. “I mean, sitting out is a bummer, no matter what it’s for. We got pretty unfortunate with a few injuries last season, so it’s good to have me and Elliot Morton back. I feel like our success can’t really be measured yet. We have a good record so far, and we have a good team, but we haven’t really hit our stride as what we can do. We’re really deep, and it’s great because guys can step up and play when they’re needed.”

In addition to his raw talent that spurs him on, Peterman really enjoys being a part of the team family and cherishes the relationships he’s formed with his teammates.

“I just really like the chemistry that we have,” Peterman said. “It’s different than anything I’ve ever experienced; we’re a closer team than I think you’ll find anywhere else.”

As Peterman finishes out his time as a college player, he will serve as a leader on the team as they strive for a national championship. Not only is he a threat out on the field, but he is a respected presence among the team.

“The first thing that comes to mind when I think of Kyle is that he plays with a lot of emotion and a lot of energy,” Collings said. “Anytime you have a dynamic player like that on the field, good things are going to happen. He’s just fun to watch. The younger players look up to him. We’re lucky to have him.”

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