Information as of 2000: Peter Carlston graduated in 1929 from East High School in Salt Lake City, Utah where he was captain of the football team, all-state, all-conference and recipient of the Richmond Gold Medal for being the outstanding student athlete. He received his bachelor's degree in 1934 and his master's degree in 1948 from the University of Utah.
Pete came to Mesa College in 1939 to coach football, basketball, track, wrestling, tennis, baseball and golf. He was a pioneer in establishing a respected, winning athletic program at Mesa during the junior college years. During his tenure, Mesa won three conference championships in track, two conference championships in football, and one each in wrestling and basketball. His 1941 football team received national recognition and was rated by The Pigskin Review as the fifth best junior college team in the nation. He also mentored two conference championship mile relay teams. Mesa's football, basketball, and track teams posted winning seasons every year Pete was their coach.
After leaving Mesa, Carlston went on to a singularly impressive thirty-two year career in coaching at the University of Utah. He produced one or more conference championships in every sport he coached. His 1951 baseball team went to the NCAA College World Series and finished in a tie for third.
Pete also established his own sports school and during summer months taught fundamentals and sportsmanship to Salt Lake City youth. He continued this effort until his eightieth birthday.
Peter Carlston passed away in 1992 at the age of 81 leaving his wife, Eleanor, who resides in Salt Lake City. Peter and Eleanor have three children, Jerry, Jan and Eleanor.
