Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1980
Paddison (Pat) Preston was an outstanding football player at Wake Forest and for the Chicago Bears before returning to his alma mater as an assistant coach. He also had a three-year stint in the military during World War II.
A native North Carolinian from Thomasville, Preston starred with the Deacons as a tackle on the 1940, 1941 and 1942 teams and was one of the greatest athletes in Wake Forest history. He made All-Southern for three straight years. During WWII, Preston played one year at Duke University under the Marine V-12 program and made All-Southern for the fourth time. He was also selected to several All-America teams in 1943.
During the War, Preston served as a first lieutenant in the Marines for three years and saw service in the Okinawa campaign, where he was wounded and received the Purple Heart.
Following his discharge in 1946, Pat joined the Chicago Bears and was a standout at guard from 1946 to 1950. Bear owner-coach George Halas was lavish in his praise of Preston's stellar performances in pro ball and called him one of the hardest hitting linemen he ever coached.
Preston played three sports at Mills Home Baptist Orphanage where he graduated in 1939. He was an end in high school but was shifted to tackle at Wake Forest. He was captain of the strong Deacon team in 1942, which many fans believe to be one of the best teams to ever represent WFU.
Pat was born June 15, 1921. He earned a bachelor of science degree from Wake Forest. He passed away on June 23, 2002.
Pat Preston joined the Wake Forest coaching staff in 1951 after his successful career with the Bears. After two years as an assistant coach, he became Wake Forest's athletic director and served in that role from 1954-56.
He was a member of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.
