WIAA adds former Cleveland State coach Kate Peterson Abiad to staff

The newest addition to the WIAA executive staff is no stranger to athletics in Wisconsin.

Kate Peterson Abiad grew up in River Falls, played basketball at UW-Stevens Point and spent six years as an assistant women’s basketball coach at the University of Wisconsin. She spent the past 15 years as the head women’s basketball coach at Cleveland State.

Peterson Abiad was introduced as the WIAA's new assistant director Tuesday. She fills the spot created by Deb Hauser’s retirement. Peterson Abiad’s responsibilities will include the administration and coordinator of basketball, cross country, soccer and track and field as well as tournament planning and co-op teams.

She starts April 1.

“It is a great honor for me to accept this opportunity to return to my home state and join the WIAA office,” Peterson Abiad said in a new release. “I look forward to serving the schools, the administrators, and the student-athletes to the best of my abilities. I am anxious to develop new relationships, gain the confidence of the membership, and bring a new perspective to this position. 

“Participation in high school athletics can have a tremendous impact in shaping young people and creating future leaders. The experiences I had, competing in Wisconsin high school sports, were outstanding. I am grateful for the chance to contribute to that dynamic in the years to come.”

At Cleveland State, Peterson Abiad recruited a number of state athletes. The list includes former Milwaukee Vincent star Destinee Blue, current Cleveland State players Mariah Miller (Brookfield East), Mariana Bautista (Heritage Christian) and Rachel Slaney (Barneveld) and 2018 recruit Savanna Crockett of Vincent.

Peterson Abiad rebuilt Cleveland State’s program, which had one winning season in the 23 years before her arrival. She finished with a 206-252 record and leaves as the school’s all-time leader in victories.

“Kate is a strong, successful professional who will bring a set of life-experiences to the WIAA executive staff and membership, which will be unique and complimentary to our efforts going forward,” executive director Dave Anderson said in the release. “We value the example to young women Kate’s life and career represent.”