Margaret Peters, a legend who will always be a benchmark for future generations of athletes at Central Catholic High School, has passed away. The former Crusaders basketball and track and field star, whose impact on Stark County also continued as a teacher and coach at Jackson High School, died on Monday, July 6, at age 63. Her nephew, Kyle Dureska, confirmed she died after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.
High School Legend, College Star
Peters was a 1981 graduate who earned a spot in Central's inaugural hall of fame class for her absolutely stacked athletic accomplishments. Seriously, she earned 11 varsity letters and set numerous records! On the basketball court, she dropped an incredible 1,123 points, leading the Crusaders to a Class AA state runner-up finish her senior year. We're talking 18 points in that 60-42 state semifinal win over Cincinnati Reading, then 16 in the state final, a tough 52-45 loss to Claymont. That was Central's *only* state tournament appearance until just this past season. Peters wasn't just hoops, though. She was the long jump state champion as a sophomore and a runner-up as a senior in track and field. She also qualified for state in the 400 meters all four years, even finishing runner-up once! Her Central career was so impressive it landed her a basketball scholarship to Youngstown State. At YSU, she kept balling, averaging a career-best 12.1 points as a sophomore and finishing with 1,104 career points, 533 assists, 407 rebounds, and 249 steals in 100 games. She was a legend there too, elected to Youngstown State's hall of fame in 1994.From the Court to the Classroom: Coaching and Teaching Impact
After her playing days, Peters gave back big time, returning to Central to teach biology and chemistry. She also jumped in as an assistant basketball and track and field coach, passing that fire on to the next generation. Then she took over as the girls basketball head coach at Jackson High, leading the team to a phenomenal 174-112 record over 13 seasons, from 1988-2001. On top of that, she taught biology, chemistry, and honors chemistry for 28 years at Jackson. Her whole family was sports royalty too; her late brother Dan was a basketball head coach at Walsh and Youngstown State, plus an assistant at Cincinnati, Ohio State, and Akron. Margaret Peters leaves behind a legacy that clearly defines a benchmark for future athletes and coaches. She showed everyone what dedication and talent could achieve, from setting records on the court and track to shaping minds in the classroom. Her impact is truly unforgettable.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.