Gary Bays first came to then-Warner Southern College during the 1988-89 school year and served as an assistant professor, athletic director as well as the men’s basketball coach.
After taking a coaching position at Montana State University-Billings from 1991-95, Bays returned to Lake Wales in 1996 where he served in the same capacities with the Royals but with an additional title–head women’s basketball coach. During his second stint with Warner, Bays served faithfully from 1996-2005 ushering in many new firsts for the Athletic Department. Under Bays’ leadership as Athletic Director, Warner became a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Bays also led the Royals in joining the Florida Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, known today as The Sun Conference where the Royals still compete. Finally, Bays ushered the program into the age of athletic scholarships. The athletic department flourished under Bays’ direction, adding 10 new sports over three years (cheerleading, m/w golf, m/w soccer, softball, m/w tennis and m/w track & field).
On June 11, 2001, Bays was awarded the honor of being the NAIA Southeast Region XIV Athletic Director of the Year. The award was presented to 25 recipients over four geographical regions by NACDA (National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics) and Continental Airlines.
On the basketball court Bays led the men’s team to their first 20-win record in his debut season in 1988-89; the Royals 21-10 record was the best in school history since its inception in 1973. In his first stint as the men’s basketball coach, he led the Royals for three seasons from 1988-91 compiling a 54-39 record. During his absence the Royals basketball program suffered five consecutive losing seasons from 1991-95. Upon his return for the 1996-97 season he led the Royals to a 20-10 finish. The next year the Royals went 26-8 for a new school record in wins but also advanced to their first-ever NAIA National Tournament. The Royals’ tournament run ended in the Sweet 16. In his final season, 1998-99, the Royals posted their third consecutive 20-win season (20-12).
Bays left the men’s basketball program as the all-time wins leader (120) and was at the top of the list for wins in a season (26) and winning percentage (.634). He was also a two-time Florida Sun Conference Coach of the Year selection in 1996-97 and 1997-98.
Bays also led the Lady Royals basketball program from 1996-2005. During 2003-05, Bays led the Lady Royals on an amazing stretch that included three straight trips to the NAIA National Tournament.
