Alumni Spotlight: Randy Peterson, JO’74

Game Changer: 50+ Years Covering Iowa Sports

Growing up on the East Side of Des Moines, Randy Peterson, JO’74, developed a love for sports early on. While he didn’t play high school football, he avidly watched college games, soaking up every moment. “Iowa State, Iowa, whenever they were on TV or when I got the chance to go to games, I was there,” he said. “I’d glance up at the press box, intrigued by what was happening up there.”

Peterson’s mother, head of advertising at the Des Moines Register, added further fuel to his passion. “Dad and I would pick Mom up at the Register on Friday nights when she worked late,” he said. “Seeing the activity and meeting reporters whose bylines I’d later read in the paper gave me the itch.”

At East High School, Peterson honed his skills as co-editor of the student newspaper. “The practical experience I gained at East High made the transition to Drake smooth. The professors, many of whom worked at the Register, were instrumental in shaping my career,” he said, naming Drake journalism professors Bob Woodward and Joe Patrick as key influences.

Top-Notch Journalism Program

Choosing Drake was a no-brainer. Peterson said he was influenced by his high school teacher, and the opportunity to stay close to fellow East High grad and his future wife, Patricia (Faaborg) Peterson, PH’74, who was attending Drake for pharmacy school. “Drake’s journalism program was top-notch, and the decision to go there was one of the best I’ve ever made,” he said.

During his time at Drake, Peterson contributed significantly to The Times-Delphic student newspaper, serving as a sports editor. His biggest assignment came in 1972, when he covered Drake’s trip to the Pioneer Bowl. Drake lost the game, but Peterson said it was a fun experience, and one that fell on the eve of an important moment.

“The very next day, I started at the Register, marking the beginning of a career spanning over five decades.”

Despite the popularity of broadcast journalism, print remained Peterson’s true calling. “I couldn’t see myself in front of a camera,” he said. “Print intrigued me, especially the ‘Big Peach’, our morning sports section. Watching the printing presses and seeing the papers roll off was magical.”

Sports reporting may look glamorous, but it requires a lot of hard work and dedication. And while it may not be for the faint of heart, it was a perfect match for this Bulldog. “Writing 1,000 words in five minutes after a game isn’t easy, and the travel was brutal,” Peterson said. “But, I loved it.”

Randy Peterson in a press box with a lanyard sits at a table with a laptop; stadium seating visible through windows.
“Drake’s journalism program was top notch, and the decision to go there was one of the best I’ve ever made.”
Peterson recalled the adrenaline rush of covering big games on tight deadlines and the satisfaction of in-depth interviews. “Covering Drake’s almost victory against Iowa State in 2018 in the sleet and mud was a rush. Equally rewarding was writing a 2,000-word profile on an athlete, diving into their story beyond the game.”
Portrait of Randy Peterson in a blue shirt and gray sweater with blue stripes.

Unique Role of Print Reporters

Social media has transformed sports journalism, but Peterson believes in the unique value print reporters bring. “We develop relationships with the coaches and players, offering insights beyond quick video clips,” he said. “Spending a day with athletes like Brock Purdy and his roommates at their apartment was possible because of the trust built over time.” Purdy, former Cyclone and now quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, still answers some of his texts.

Starting with high school sports coverage, Peterson advanced at the Register to cover college football and basketball for the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones. He also chronicled seasons for the Iowa Cubs, who recently renamed their press box the “Randy Peterson Press Box” to honor the long-time reporter. He also covered Drake University, and the University of Northern Iowa. Career highlights included covering bowl games, NCAA tournaments, and state sports tournaments, where he had the chance to write about legendary athletes like Kurt Warner and Fred Hoiberg. He met golfing legend Arnold Palmer, and wrote about the Field of Dreams game in 2021 when actor Kevin Costner made a guest appearance. (Career highlights list courtesy of the Des Moines Register, March 3, 2024).

While his career was filled with thrilling moments, it also came with its share of challenges, namely balancing work and family life. “In the early years, reporting was so competitive. But I learned to prioritize family, never missing important moments like parent-teacher conferences or the birth of my daughters and granddaughter.”

Reflecting on his half-century sports career, Peterson is grateful for the foundation laid at Drake University. “Everything I learned, that whole background, started at Drake,” he said.

Back to Issue