The Youngstown State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is pleased to announce the Lambert Peterson Jr. Scholarship to enhance the YSU Athletics Scholarship Endowment Fund.
This scholarship was established this fall by his three sons - former YSU football players - Andre, Mike and Vince Peterson who all three were part of the program in the 1980s. The scholarship is named for their father, Lambert, who worked construction and was a role model for his three sons and many others in their hometown of Warren.
He was employed by A.P. O’Horo Construction for 40 years as a foreman before spending an additional 12 years as a driver for NEOCAP. He was a proud 50-year gold card member of the International HOD local 925 Laborers Union.
A member of the Peterson family played for the YSU football program from 1983-89. All three were part of Coach Jim Tressel’s first Penguins team in 1986. Even more impressive, the three Peterson brothers each started at some point that season with Mike and Vince starting all 11 games and Andre starting six.
The endowment was created to honor the hard work, dedication and sacrifice their father made while raising his family. Lambert Peterson led by example, working in the construction business and serving as a role model to not only his family, but so many in the Warren community. The scholarship will be awarded annually to recognize, celebrate and applaud the efforts of a former walk-on YSU football player starting in 2018-19.
True to Lambert’s example, the recipient is someone who gives maximum effort, places the team first all while avoiding the spotlight. This scholarship will represent the “hard hat” mentality of showing up for work every day, which was synonymous with Lambert, and the hard working people of the Mahoning Valley.
All three Peterson’s had standout careers on defense for the Penguins after graduating from Warren’s Western Reserve High School.
The first to join the program was Vincent who played from 1983-86. Vincent played nose guard and in his career had 241 total tackles, 27 TFLs and 12 sacks. Mike (1984-87) begin his career as an outside linebacker before moving to defensive end. He had 297 tackles, 29 TFLs and 13 sacks. Andre (1986-89) was a defensive tackle who finished with 266 tackles, 19 TFLs and eight sacks.
Lambert did not earn a high school diploma, but he knew the value of an education and wanted his sons to go to college and be successful.
“Our father faithfully and selflessly served his God his family his work and his community with a relentless commitment,” the Peterson family said. “We wanted to provide the scholarship to a young man who reflects those same attributes. He used to say to us that ‘he would do whatever he could for his family so that one day while he was digging ditches on the highway he could see his boys drive by wearing a suit and tie achieving our goals.’ That is what the scholarship is all about.”
Paul McFadden, President of the YSU Foundation, said the Peterson’s valued football and education and appreciated the chance to attend Youngstown State University.
''All three worked extremely hard during their YSU playing careers and their teammates took notice as all three served as team captains for the Penguins,'' McFadden said. ''We are thankful that they have endowed a scholarship in Lambert’s name because as a group, they made a huge impact on the success of the YSU program.''
For more information, or to endow an athletic scholarship at Youngstown State University, contact the Dan Kopp at the YSU Foundation at (330) 941-3211 or dkopp@ysufoundation.org
