Oglethorpe University

Ernest “Ernie” Alan Crain was a four-year staple on the men’s basketball team.

Crain led offense his senior year, recording an average of 19.3 points per game. He totaled 503 points that season alone, which remains one of the highest season totals in program history. The Petrels posted a 17-9 record that season while facing several now-Division I schools. Crain was also a key player on the now famed 1968-69 team. In 1969 he was named an NCAA South Atlantic Regional All-Tournament team honoree.

Crain was the team captain and ended his collegiate career as Oglethorpe’s #4 all-time scorer with 1,117 career points.  He was named Oglethorpe’s outstanding senior athlete in his final season and recorded one of the best free-throw and field goal percentages in program history.

After graduation, Crain served in the U.S Army before becoming a schoolteacher. He taught for 37 years and also served as a principal at Cambria, Brookport and Unity School District, and later as superintendent of Jonesboro School District in his home state Illinois. During this time, he also coached high school basketball.

Crain was inducted into the Illinois Museum of Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987. He and his wife Sherry had four children and nine grandchildren. Crain passed away at age 74 on February 23rd, 2023.