REMEMBERING COACH PRESTON

REMEMBERING COACH PRESTON

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 7 (Tuesday, January 14, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 7 (Tuesday, January 14, 2025)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E26] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] REMEMBERING COACH PRESTON ______ HON. VINCE FONG of california in the house of representatives Tuesday, January 14, 2025 Mr. FONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mourn the loss of Pat Preston, a Bakersfield athletics and education leader who passed away on December 22, 2024, at the age of 76. Coach Preston served our community as an athlete, coach, and educator throughout his life. After being awarded Bakersfield's All-City pick for Lineman of the Year in 1965, Coach Preston would go on to play linebacker for Stanford University from 1966 to 1970, where he served as co-captain. Following his graduation from Stanford University, Coach Preston returned to Bakersfield High School to be a defensive coach, then went on to serve as Head Coach at Hanford High School, where he served for four years. However, the Bakersfield community beckoned his return, inviting Coach Preston to be the Drillers Head Coach, and he accepted. Some Drillers who were present for these golden seasons can still remember how his return to Bakersfield reawakened the team's camaraderie and belief in itself. Coach Preston is remembered for leading the Drillers through a 39-game winning streak, including three consecutive undefeated seasons in the Yosemite Division in 1988, 1989, and 1990. Under Coach Preston's leadership, the Drillers also garnered eight league and four section football championships. Keeping the team focused with both his humor and his intensity, Coach Preston cared equally for each person on his team--from the waterboy to the quarterback--and taught them how to be dynamic and energized in all that they did. In 1999, Coach Preston was hired as the Assistant Principal for Liberty High School where he continued to serve our community. Coach Preston has been inducted into several local halls of fame--the Bob Elias Hall of Fame, Bakersfield High Alumni Association Hall of Fame, and the Drillers Football Hall of Fame. He is survived by his wife Patti, and two sons Nathan and Todd. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in mourning the loss of Pat Preston, a Kern County community leader and someone who has helped shape generations of young people in our community. ____________________