The name “Tamie Preston” and “Dodge City High School Tennis” have been synonymous since 1976. Today – we officially merge the two – as we name the newly renovated courts at the DCHS Tennis Complex – Preston Courts!
Tamie was a varsity tennis player at DCHS from 1976-1979, where she owned the courts with her dominant play. She played #1 singles all four years of high school. Her high school tennis accomplishments included multiple WAC & Regional Championships at #1 Singles.
Tamie graduated from DCHS in the Class of 1980. She went on to play collegiately at Kansas State University, and completed her degree in 1984. As a member of the Wildcat Tennis program she played #1 singles all four years, and finished her Senior season placing fifth in #2 doubles and competed in #1 singles in the Big 8 Conference Tournament.
After graduating from K-State, Tamie returned to Dodge City to teach and coach. She was named the DCHS Head Tennis Coach in 1988, and soon began owning the competition as a coach. During the next seven seasons – Red Demon Tennis won six WAC Titles; four Regional Titles; and finished in the Top 10 at the State Tournament on four separate occasions. She was named the 6A Girls State Tennis Coach of the Year in 1990. Coach Preston resigned after the 1994 season to spend time with her young family.
After an eleven-year absence, Preston returned to the court as the Head Girls Tennis Coach in 2006. To celebrate, she led the 2006 team to another WAC title and was named WAC Coach of the Year. Her 2010 team became the final WAC Champ for Coach Preston. She was once again named Conference Coach of the Year and resigned at the conclusion of the season.
Overall, she coached thirteen total years, winning eight WAC titles – finishing lower than second on only one occasion.
Tamie’s father – Bill Peugh (a longtime teacher and coach at DCHS, including Head Boys Tennis) is credited with teaching Tamie (and her sisters) how to play the game of tennis. Bill not only taught his girls how to swing a racket, but was masterful at developing an aggressive winning attitude that seemed to always go on display once a match began. Both Bill and Tamie’s mother Pat (a DCHS Business teacher) sacrificed many hours travelling to watch the girls compete – in all types of weather.
Finally, Tamie has spent the past 17 years as the Athletic Director, with duties that have included overseeing the DCHS Tennis programs. This tennis season marks the 40th anniversary of her ownership in regards to the success of Red Demon Tennis.
We are privileged to have many members of Tamie’s family here with us today – her husband Greg, son – Isaac & his family, daughter – Shelbie & her family, sisters – Susan (a teammate on both DCHS and KSU Tennis Teams with Tamie), Tisha, and Kitra (both who were coached by Tamie at DCHS) – and their families.
Please join Dodge City High School in recognizing Tamie Preston for her accomplishments as a Red Demon player, teacher, coach, and administrator.
We will now begin the DCHS Girls Tennis Invitational – hosted by Dodge City High School on the newly renovated Preston Courts!
