The play of UMD’s offensive interior falls under the domain of Peter Lue, who has skillfully handled that key responsibility the past 12 years while working under three different head coaches (Curt Wiese, Bob Nielson and Kyle "Bubba" Schweigert).
During his dozen years of service with the Bulldogs, Lue has had a hand in mentoring no less than 24 All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference North Division and/or All-North Central Conference selections in Jason Anderson (first team in 2017), Nate Baier (first team in 2008 and second team in 2007), Peter Bateman (first team in 2014-16 and second team in 2013), Jake Bscherer (first team in 2012), Mitch Cady (first team in 2008 and honorable mention in 2007), Cory Flesch (first team in 2011), Nolan Folkert (first team in 2016-17), Russell Foster (second team in 2006), Garth Heikkinen (first team in 2010-12 and honorable mention in 2009), Francis Herzog (honorable mention in 2011 and first team in 2010), Matt Juneau (honorable mention in 2017, first team in 2016 and second team in 2015), Eli Kelly (second team in 2011 and first team in 2010), Tobias Lemke (first team in 2008-09), Mark Knudsen (first team in 2006), Andrew Muer (first team in 2013-14), Tom Olson (first team in 2013 and honorable mention in 2011-12), Connor Randall (second team in 2014 and honorable mention in 2015-16), Phillip Rutz (first team in 2014), Grant Schnobrich (first team in 2013 and second team in 2012), Trapper Ward (second team in 2017), Sam Whitney (first team in 2009 and honorable mention in 2008) and Willy Westerman (honorable mention in 2016). Heikkinen, UMD’s first four-time All-Conference honoree, was the recipient of the 2012 Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year Award and earned All-American first or second team distinction from six different groups as a senior and four the previous year. Muer bettered that feat in 2014 by being selected to seven All-American teams and, like Heikkinen, was the recipient of UMD's Outstanding Senior Athlete Award. Two years ago, Bateman collared his fourth All-NSIC citation, made four All-American teams and received the Bobby Bell College Impact Player of the Year Award from the Minnesota Chapter of the National Football Foundation -- the first offensive lineman to be so honored. Baier, Bateman, Cady, Lemke and Olson all secured All-American first team status during their respective senior seasons as well.
Lue, who is in charge of UMD’s Big Dog and youth football camps and clinics and helps oversee the Bulldogs' extensive community service activities, served a four-year assistant coaching hitch (offensive line) at La Salle University in Philadelphia, Pa., and in 2005 was promoted to director of football operations at that NCAA I-AA institution. He enlisted with the Explorer staff in 2002, fresh off two seasons of duty as William Paterson University’s line coach and special teams coordinator. From 1996-1999, he was employed in that same capacity at Parsippany Hills (N.J.) High School. A defensive lineman at Rowan University (N.J.) from 1992-95, Lue and the Profs advanced to a pair of NCAA Division III championship game appearances (1993 and 1995).
A native of Parsippany, N.J., Lue graduated from Rowan U. in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He and his wife, Dr. Marsha Francis, make their home in Duluth.
