The original Mule led PBHS to victory

The Poplar Bluff Museum has tales of us, our family, and our history. I want to tell you some of those tales found within the museum walls.

E.T. Peters is known as the father of Poplar Bluff High School sports. Emery Thomas (E.T.) Peters liked to be called “Pete.” Originally from Warrensburg, Missouri, he became a teacher at PBHS in 1923. He taught history, health and physical education. He also coached football, baseball and track.

In 1926, his football team won their first Southeast Missouri football championship. The team was so grateful for Coach Pete’s leadership that they changed their name from the Poplar Bluff Yellowjackets to the Mules, after his college alma mater’s mascot. Coach Pete went on to lead the Mules to championships in 1927, 1928, 1929 and 1933.

In 1947, he became the principal of PBHS until he retired in 1966. Pete continued to serve as a school board member and eventually president of the board. He retired for good in 1970.

PBHS honored him by naming their new gymnasium, the “E.T. Peters Gym.” Coach Pete was the first person inducted into the Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame.

The E.T. Peters Hall of Fame plaque is proudly on display in the Poplar Bluff Museum.

The museum is handicap accessible and open free of charge from 1-4 p.m. every Sunday at 1010 Main St., Poplar Bluff (Formerly the Old Mark Twain School). Tell them Mike sent you!