More Than 60 Years of Service: The Fyke Family's Lamar CISD Legacy

For the Fyke family, serving Lamar CISD isn’t simply a career—it’s a family tradition. Across two generations, Dennis “Doc” Fyke, his wife, Pam, and their three daughters have dedicated more than six decades of combined service to Lamar CISD students.  

At the center of that tradition is Doc Fyke, Head Athletic Trainer at Lamar Consolidated High School. As he begins his 22nd year with Lamar CISD, Fyke continues to make a lasting impact by supporting student-athletes and promoting their health and well-being. His commitment to serving students has helped establish a legacy that extends far beyond the athletic training room. 

That legacy is one his family proudly carries forward. His wife, Pam Fyke, taught at Foster High School and now serves as a Career and Technical Education Coordinator. She has 21 years of service with the District and has been in education for more than 40 years.  

"She’s always working to do the best. She shows that. She’s concerned about the students, obtaining the programs that we do, and that they’re meeting the standards," Fyke said. 

Their oldest daughter, Whitney Fyke Garner, is an Instructional Coach at Phelan Elementary and is in her sixth year with Lamar CISD, with nearly 20 years of experience in education. She was named Phelan Elementary's Teacher of the Year for the 2025-2026 school year. Second-eldest daughter Lynsie Fyke Sandoval teaches science at Foster High School and has served the district for 13 years. Meanwhile, youngest daughter Ashley Fyke teaches Pre-Kindergarten at Haygood Elementary and is now starting her sixth year with Lamar CISD. 

Fyke chose to become an athletic trainer while in college in Michigan, helping at the local high school before he graduated. After earning a National Athletic Trainer certification, his family moved to Texas, where he received his athletic training license. He has worked with students across the Houston area including Spring Branch, Alief, Aldine, and now Lamar CISD. 

“There’s no eight-hour day when it comes to an athletic trainer. Your family becomes a part of that sometimes,” Fyke said.  

During a Lamar Consolidated High School inter-squad scrimmage, Fyke recalled a memorable moment when his grandchildren cheered him on from the sidelines. It was a proud reminder of the support and encouragement his family has provided throughout his extensive career. 

Fyke was named Athletic Trainer of the Year in both Michigan and Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA) Region 5. He is a founding member of the Greater Houston Athletic Trainers' Society, a Hall of Honor inductee, and a recipient of the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) 50-Year Award. Despite these honors, he says his greatest achievement has been building strong relationships within the community. 

“It’s not about the awards; it’s about the relationships you build throughout the years,” Fyke said. “You build trust with the parents and athletes over the years. It creates that family-type of bond.” 

With nearly five decades of experience, Fyke now cares for the children and grandchildren of his former student-athletes. Parents and grandparents often even recognize him on the sidelines.  

“Being an educator is not just being an athletic trainer; it’s a marriage of both. Being the educator that I am, I continue that on a daily basis, even with my student trainers,” Fyke said.  

He challenges his student trainers to raise the bar by expanding their knowledge and providing hands-on learning opportunities. Last year, Fyke helped launch the Student Trainer Olympics, which included skills testing, obstacle courses, quizzes, and races designed to build both knowledge and confidence. Fyke proudly shared that the Lamar CHS Mustangs were the inaugural winners of the competition. 

His student trainers have also achieved success beyond the campus level. They have advanced to the Taping Contest Finals hosted by the Greater Houston Athletic Trainers’ Society, participated in the Texas HOSA Competition, and earned recognition through the Texas State Athletic Trainers’ Association. Most recently, several senior student trainers were named Academic All-State Recipients. 

“It’s about raising the bar. Having high expectations and the student will follow that. Being an athletic trainer and educator – they both go hand in hand,” Fyke said. 

After decades of caring for generations of Lamar CISD students, Doc Fyke's greatest legacy isn't measured in awards or competition victories. It's found in the spirit of service that inspired his own family to dedicate themselves to education as well. Collectively, their years of service reflect a deep commitment to students and a legacy that continues to shape the Lamar CISD community.