Curt Pederson was the head football coach from 1958-62 at New London and also was the school's athletic director from 1958-76. He hired then-coach Sid Vraa in 1963 to become the head football coach, the year New London-Spicer was established. Ironically, Sid's son, John, is the current NLS athletic director.
New London-Spicer played football in 1963 at Denson Field in New London, while the football field at the new high school was being built.
While serving as the athletic director, Pederson was attending the homecoming gaime against Atwater in 1976. He was standing on top of the hill overlooking the field talking to some fans at halftime when he collapsed. He was rushed to the hospital in Willmar, where he was pronounced dead. Students were notified of his death at the homecoming dance. He was only 48.
The following fall, the football field was named Pederson Field and a sign and plaque were erected in his honor. In 1993, when the new addition to the high school was being built, the football field needed to be moved. The new field is still called Pederson Field.
