A native of Puxico, Missouri, Bain was one of college basketball’s most highly respected game officials for more than 25 years, Bain served as Missouri Valley Conference coordinator of men’s basketball officials for 18 seasons.
Bain began his officiating career in 1958 and received his first major college assignment with the Missouri Valley Conference in 1964.
A year later, he joined the officiating staff of the Big Eight Conference and started working Big Ten Conference games in 1968.
Nicknamed “Boomer,’” Bain worked in 18 NCAA Tournaments (1971-1990), including five Final Fours (1971, 1973, 1976, 1978 and 1990).
He also officiated in countless international events, among them the memorable 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany.
His international experience also included working the 1974 World Championships in Puerto Rico, the 1971 Pan American Games and the 1974 R. William Jones Cup in Puerto Rico.
On September 12, 2010, he was enshrined as a technical official in the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Hall of Fame.
He also received the Ellis Veech Award -- given to an outstanding official by the St. Louis Writers Baseball Association -- in 1996 and was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Association Hall of Fame in 1998.