H. L. Pedersen Memorial Scholarship

Ted and his wife, Lois Schmitz. Two smiling, older Caucasian people. Both have white hair and thin, wire-frame glasses. The man is in a white shirt and the woman in a light blue jacket.

 

Harold L. Pedersen was from Valley City, North Dakota.  He was an outstanding athlete and student.  He came to Williston in 1950, where he spent 13 very productive years.  In his time at WHS, he was the athletic director, head football coach, track coach, basketball coach, and head wrestling coach.  In fact, he started the wrestling program in Williston and was often referred to as the Father of Wrestling in North Dakota.

As a head football coach, his teams were always fiercely competitive, well-coached, and always near the top in the win/loss column.  H. L. was responsible for moving Cutting Field from Harmon Park, which was a dirt field to behind the now middle school, where it remained for decades.

H.L. Pedersen, a former marine in WWII, is among the top football coaches of all time in North Dakota history.

This scholarship was created by Larry Doeden -- WHS Class of 1960, and Jerry Hicks -- WHS Class of 1962, along with many other supporters of Coach Pedersen.

Scholarship amount: $500

2018 H. L. Pedersen Memorial Scholarship Winner

2019 H. L. Pedersen Memorial Scholarship Winner