Amber Peterson has resigned as Lakeland University head women's basketball coach and senior woman administrator to pursue future opportunities, Director of Athletics April Arvan announced today.

Peterson will depart after 10 years at Lakeland. She served the school in a variety of capacities, including all 10 years with the women's basketball program, the last three years as head coach.

"Amber Peterson's affect has not only been incredibly impactful to our women's basketball program, she has also left a lasting imprint on our university and community as well," said Arvan. "We wish Coach Peterson all the best with her new endeavor and thank her for her years of being one of our finest."

Peterson took over as head coach in March 2020 after seven years as an assistant, working her way up from a graduate assistant to the program's lead assistant and then head coach. She led the program through tough circumstances with the COVID-19 pandemic and posted a 33-31 record as head coach, taking Lakeland to the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Tournament all three years.

The Muskies finished 14-12 this past year and placed fifth in the conference in the regular season, falling to Concordia Wisconsin at the buzzer in the NACC Tournament first round. Lakeland also was a tough out in the 2022 NACC tourney, winning its first game before falling to top seed and eventual champion Wisconsin Lutheran by a point in the quarterfinals.

Peterson also had a very successful run as head coach of the Lakeland women's golf program from 2016-21, and in 2021 led the Muskies to their first-ever NACC championship and the program's first appearance in the Division III championships. The team posted five consecutive top-three finishes in the NACC from 2016-20 and also furnished its first-ever NACC individual champion (Ali Wilson).

Peterson also held a number of administrative roles in the Lakeland athletic department. She was named Lakeland's senior woman administrator in Sept. 2022, succeeding Arvan in the SWA role. Peterson also was director of athletic enrollment for five years, coordinating recruiting and retention efforts for all sports in the department, and this past year was a leader of Lakeland's Student Athlete Advisory Committee.

"Thank you so much to the Lakeland community for accepting me with open arms ten years ago and for the continual support since then," said Peterson. "I have absolutely loved my time as a Muskie.

"Thank you to Coach April Arvan and the entire Muskies athletics department, all of the amazing coaches, and most importantly, our student-athletes. I am so thankful for each and every one of you and will continue to cheer for the Lakeland family moving forward. As always, go Muskies!"