The Peterson Abiad File
Hometown: River Falls, Wis.
Alma Mater (Year): University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Degree: Psychology
Coaching Experience:
2024-present: Assistant Coach, Green Bay
2003-2018: Head Coach, Cleveland State
1997-2003: Assistant Coach, Wisconsin
1993-1997: Assistant Coach, Eastern Illinois
1991-1993: Graduate Assistant Coach, Indiana
Playing Experience:
1987-1991: UW-Stevens Point
Championships:
Two-time Horizon League Tournament Champion (2008, 2010)
Worth noting:
She has traveled to 18 different countries.
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Kayla Karius announced the addition of Kate Peterson Abiad as an assistant coach on May 16, 2024. She was most recently the Assistant Director on the Executive Staff of the WIAA (Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association) and brings nearly three decades of basketball playing and coaching experience to Green Bay.
Peterson Abiad is no stranger to the Horizon League, having spent 2003-2018 as the head coach at Cleveland State. Under her direction, the Vikings won two Horizon League Tournament championships and made four postseason appearances overall, including Cleveland State’s first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2008. A 1991 graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, Peterson Abiad coached the Vikings’ current all-time leading scorer, Kailey Klein, who racked up 2,140 points from 2006-2010, won a Horizon League MVP award, and went on to play professionally in the WNBA. Peterson Abiad coached a total of nine First Team All-Conference players, one Horizon League Second Team member, five Defensive Player of the Year winners, 13 All-Defensive Team honors, and ten 1,000-point scorers.
A four-year letterwinner on the women’s basketball team at UW-Stevens Point, Peterson Abiad received Kodak All-America honorable mention recognition her senior season with the Pointers in 1990-91. She broke the NCAA Division III record for three-point field goals made per game (3.85) during her senior season in 1990-91. She is also a member of the UW-Stevens Point Hall of Fame Class of 2000.
Following her time at UWSP, Peterson Abiad joined Indiana as a Graduate Assistant Coach before joining Eastern Illinois as an assistant from 1993-1997. After her stint with the Panthers, she joined the Wisconsin Badgers as an assistant coach from 1997-2003 before becoming Cleveland State’s head coach.
In her role with the WIAA, Peterson Abiad coordinated duties for the sports of basketball, boys and girls tennis, and boys and girls lacrosse. She oversaw Officials Services such as licensing, Officials' Advisory Committee, and recruiting & retention efforts.
Peterson Abiad is a native of River Falls, Wisconsin. She played basketball and softball during her prep career at River Falls High School.
