He was lovingly known as the Czar.

It was his program, his team, his intramural league and his college.

Longtime LCC Athletic Director and men's basketball coach Gary Earnest passed away on Saturday October 18th at the age of 89.

Earnest took LCC Athletics to unprecedented heights as Athletic Director and Men's Basketball Coach. He had a record of 204 wins and 89 losses and captured five league titles.  He was responsible for leading a program that captured 13 conference championships in various team sports. 

Gary was also instrumental in establishing women's athletics at LCC. Earnest served 20 years as an NWAC Commissioner, earning him induction into the NWAC Hall of Fame in 1997.

He came to LCC as the head men's basketball coach in 1972.  His flamboyant style made him a fan favorite. He recruited great athletes who were almost always in contention for league and conference titles.  His teams came close, dropping the NWAC championship games in 1974 and 1991.  

As athletic director from 1978 to 1997, he oversaw a program that won seven baseball championships, one softball title, a volleyball championship and three women's golf championships.

Earnest was instrumental in establishing women's athletics at LCC. 

A multi-sport athlete at R.A. Long, Earnest was a star guard at BYU where he was named third team All-American.  He got into coaching following his days at BYU and served as coach of the BYU freshman team and then two stops at the high school level in California before coming home to coach at LCC where he became an NWAC and LCC legend.

"I wouldn't be the AD here at LCC if it wasn't for Gary", said LCC's current athletic director Kirc Roland.  "Gary always accepted help from the community and he mentored me to learn what running a program was all about. He was kind of like a pied piper and people enjoyed being a part of the program when Gary was the leader."

Earnest had an eye for what made a great coach.  His hand picked successor Jim Roffler went on to become an NWAC Hall of Famer. Former LCC head baseball coach Kelly Smith, who Earnest hired in 1995, said "He lived a remarkably full life. Lot's of people will miss him with a smile.  Thanks for the memories Czar."

Gary is survived by his wife Ruth and his sons Ed and Steve and daughters Amy, Angie, and Erin.

There are plans to remember Gary at a future LCC basketball game, yet to be announced.