Longtime educator and Okmulgee County native Mark Hudson was among the nine people that were recently inducted into the Oklahoma Coaches Association.

The event took place before the annual OCA Coaches Clinic and All State Week, which featured some area high school students also.

Joining Hudson in the 2023 OCA Hall of Fame Class were:

• Jerry Bates – Tuttle
• Billy Jack Bowen – Silo
• Will Ethridge – Edmond Santa Fe Kevin Harrington – Lawton MacArthur
• Gary Hendrix – Fort Gibson
• Samuel Horsechief – Tahlequah Sequoyah
• Jarrett Hurt – Claremore
• Craig Patterson – Kingfisher
• Linda Wiginton – Altus

Hudson is well-known in the area, serving as superintendent of Preston Schools, and as a coach in a variety of sports.

Hudson’s list of accomplishments show his love of coaching and influencing the lives of young people:

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Mark Hudson – 2023 Oklahoma Coaches Association Hall of Fame

Schools (42 Years Total)

• Paden (6) 82-87
• Muldrow (3) 87-90
• Preston (33) 1990-Present
• High School Coach for 26 years:
• 4-State Championships
• 4-State Runner-ups
• 13 years HS Girls Basketball with an overall record of 291-83, 7 State Tournaments
• 17 years HS Boys Basketball with an overall record of 360-138, 7 State Tournaments
• 12 years HS Slow Pitch Softball with an overall record of 413-61, 10 State Tournaments
• 9 years HS Fast Pitch Softball with an overall record of 338-74, 5 State Tournaments
• 7 years as both HS Girls and HS BoysTrack, 7 State Track Meets
• 1 year HS Baseball with an overall Record of 26-8

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Overall Record

• HS Boys and Girls Basketball: (30 seasons) 651-221 .746 Winning Percentage
• HS Girls Softball (21 seasons) 751-135 .861 Winning Percentage Overall HS Record Basketball/Softball: (51 Seasons) 1428-364 .796 Winning Percentage
• 14 State Tournaments in Basketball
• 15 State Tournaments in Softball
• 14 State Track Meets

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Hudson has also received the following honors:

• All-State Girls Basketball Coach 1991
• All-State Fast Pitch Softball Coach 1993
• All-State Slow Pitch Softball Coach 1994
• All-State Boys Basketball Coach 2000
• 1993 Daily Oklahoma Softball Coach of the Year
• 1997 Daily Oklahoman Girls Basketball Coach of the Year
• Region 2 Boys Basketball Coach of the Year in 1992
• 9 Time Conference Coach of the Year
• Inducted into the Oklahoma Girls Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019
• Inducted into the Oklahoma Coaches Association Hall of Fame 2023
• OSSAA Board President 2017

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Though his list of accomplishments is long, Hudson is very thankful to those who have guided and mentored him throughout his life. He thanked the many players and coaches that he has had the privilege of working with over the years.

“I’m thankful. ..The three who played the biggest role in my life was my granddad – he was my bestest best friend, Jim Waller and my momma,” Hudson said with emotion. “Jim Waller was my high school coach. Now, I have a lot of good coaches, like Mike Flud and Terry Jones who all were good coaches.

“Mr. Waller just influenced me so much about being on the job every day, working hard and being early …Of course, my granddad. He taught me how to get out of bed early every day and work hard. And my mom – I’ve never I’ve never seen someone work as hard as my mom. And you know, people talking about having privilege – I was privileged to have so many great people in my life … You’ve seen people set a turtle up on the fence posts – he didn’t get there by himself. That’s kind of way I feel. I have had a lot of people get me to where I am.”

Hudson, a 1979 Preston graduate, has served as superintendent of Preston Schools for 23 years, and is definitely a ‘hands-on’ person. You can see him at the various school functions and sporting events, interacting with students and parents.

“I don’t try to micromanage anybody, but I want to always make sure we’re doing things right and always want to help out,” Hudson said.

With the new school year underway, Supt. Hudson is excited about the start of classes on Aug. 16.

The district welcomes several new staff members:

• Ashley Green – 1st Grade
• Kasey King – 5th Grade
• Tiffany Hurt – 5th Grade
• Robin Wittman – HS Science, Asst. Girls Basketball Coach
• Jordan Garner – HS Girls Basketball Coach
• Patrick Dixon – IT Specialist

Over the summer, crews have been busy sprucing up the facilities in preparation for students and teachers. New floor and ceiling tiles were installed in the kitchen, along with new carpet in the middle school, all classrooms painted, carpets shampooed, floors stripped and waxed, and installed an outside basketball court for the lower middle school.

The wooden bleachers were removed in the gym, and are being replaced.

The new seating will be more comfortable, Hudson stated, with the new seats having backs, along with the addition of handrails for added safety.

Also, a new student section will be added in the area where the hospitality room was previously located.

A meet and greet event for parents, students and school staff will be Monday, Aug. 14, from 4-7 p.m.

Another great year is in store for Preston Schools with Supt. Mark Hudson at the helm.