U.S. Hockey Hall of Famer amassed a staggering number of wins

NEWS RELEASE

LAKE SUPERIOR STATE UNIVERSITY

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Ron Mason, the second-winningest coach in college hockey history, passed away overnight (June 13) at the age of 76.

Mason, who was the first varsity hockey head coach at Lake Superior State, spent 36 years coaching at the collegiate level amassing a 924-380-83 career record.

Following a three-year career lettering in hockey at St. Lawrence, Mason earned his master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1965. In 1966, Mason was hired by legendary Director of Athletics Ronald “Bud” Cooper to head-man the upstart LSSU program.

In seven seasons with the Lakers, Mason compiled a 129-47-9 mark and guided the team to five National Intercollegiate Athletic Association (NAIA) Tournament appearances. For three consecutive seasons (1968-70) Mason’s LSSU squads reached the NAIA Championship game but were dispatched by Bemidji State. In the 1971-72 season the Lakers finally broke through and captured their first of two NAIA Championships. With the Lakers, Mason accumulated four 20-win seasons and never lost more than 10 games in a season.

Following his career at LSSU, Mason accepted an offer to coach Division I Bowling Green, where he spent six seasons establishing the Falcons as a contender in college hockey. Mason led BGSU to three Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) regular season championships (1976, 1978, 1979) and three CCHA Playoff championships (1977, ‘78, ‘79).

In 23 seasons at the helm of Michigan State, Mason built a 635-270-69 mark and won the 1986 NCAA National Championship.

In 1979-80 Mason began his career with the Spartans after replacing legendary MSU coach Amo Bessone. The seven-time CCHA Coach of the Year led Michigan State to seven league regular-season championships in 1985, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1998, 1999 and 2001. He also guided the Spartans to 10 CCHA Playoff crowns in 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1998, 2000 and 2001. In 2001, the CCHA honored Mason by renaming the CCHA Playoff trophy The Mason Cup in his honor due to his contributions to college hockey and formation of the CCHA as well as his success behind the bench.

In 2002, Mason retired from coaching and accepted the role of MSU Athletics Director from 2002-07. In 2013 Mason was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.

His career accomplishments also include induction into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame (1994), Lake Superior Sports Hall of Fame (1996), St. Lawrence University Sports Hall of Fame (1999), Bowling Green Athletics Hall of Fame (2009) and Michigan State Athletics Hall of Fame (2010). In addition, the American Hockey Coaches Association honored him with the John MacInnes Award for his outstanding contributions to hockey in the spring of 2003, and he received the Hobey Baker Memorial Award Foundation's 2004 "Legend of Hockey" in April 2004.

Former LSSU head coaches Rick Comley and Jeff Jackson, and current head coach Damon Whitten all played for Mason.

Born in Seaforth, Ontario on January 14, 1940, Mason married his wife Marion (Bell) in 1963. Ron and Marion had two daughters, Tracey and Cindy. 

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