Carleton "Sonny" Carlson

Carleton "Sonny" Carlson (Coach/Administrator)

• Received Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Minnesota.

• Served as History Teacher and Coach at Kennedy from 1965-1979.

• Worked as Assistant Football coach from 1960-1964 and then Head Football coach from 1965-1978 and was also a Ski coach and Girls Track coach.

• Bloomington District Athletic Director from 1979-1993.

• Created “A Positive Peer Leadership Program” to educate students about the dangers of using drugs, which became the model for the MSHSL and National Federation of State H.S. Associations.

• Developed first athletic injuries course for Minnesota coaches and spearheaded the Bloomington Safety Committee that established athletic training positions for high school sports.

• Served as game manager for the Prep Bowl, manager of the Region 6AA Soccer tournament, facilities manager of the State Track and Field meet and Region 6AA football secretary.

• Received NIAAA “State Award of Merit” and Region 6AA “Athletic Director of the Year Award.”

• Inducted into MSHSL Hall of Fame in 1995.