[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.

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