Margaret Peters, a standout basketball and track athlete who later became a beloved teacher and coach, died at the age of 63 after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease. Her passing was felt across the Canton community, where she had spent decades shaping young athletes and students.
Early Years of a Multi‑Sport Star
At Central Catholic High School she collected eleven varsity letters, excelling in both basketball and track. She led the Crusaders to a Class AA state runner‑up finish, scored 1,123 points in basketball, and captured a state long‑jump title as a sophomore before finishing as runner‑up as a senior.
Her athletic prowess earned her a basketball scholarship to Youngstown State University, where she averaged 12.1 points as a sophomore and later received induction into the university’s Hall of Fame in 1994.
From Classroom to Sideline
After graduating, Peters returned to Central Catholic to teach biology and chemistry while serving as an assistant coach. She later moved to Jackson High School, where she headed the girls basketball program for 13 seasons, compiling a record of 174‑112 and mentoring countless players.
Her brother Dan Peters, who also pursued a career in basketball coaching, preceded her in death. The siblings shared a deep connection to the sport and to the institutions they represented.
In 2023, Central Catholic inducted Peters into its inaugural Hall of Fame class, a tribute that highlighted her dual legacy as an athlete and an educator. Colleagues and former players remember her for her relentless work ethic and her ability to inspire confidence on and off the court.
The outpouring of grief underscores the impact she had on the region’s sports landscape, with many noting that her influence will continue to be felt through the generations of athletes she coached and the students she taught.