Ron Mason, the second-winningest coach in college hockey history, died early Monday morning in Haslett, Michigan, of an apparent heart attack, according to a Detroit Free Press report.
The former Michigan State coach and athletic director was 76.
“Coach Mason defined what it means to be a Spartan,” Michigan State President Lou Anna K. Simon said in a news release. “His relentless quest for excellence on and off the rink made everyone around him better. He truly created a Spartan hockey family in which the focus was on collective success rather than worrying about who received credit. That drive translated into great accomplishments on the ice and in life for all those fortunate enough to work with or play for him.”
MSU Director of Athletics Mark Hollis met Mason when Hollis was a student at MSU in the early 1980s.
“I admired him as a coach and leader at that time and developed great respect for his commitment to success and student-athletes,” Hollis said. “Having the opportunity to work for Ron in my transition to the athletics director’s chair was invaluable. He was a great person and a great friend.”
MSU hockey coach Tom Anastos said Monday was a sad day for the hockey world.
“Not only was Ron a legendary figure at Michigan State, but his contributions to college hockey were remarkable,” said Anastos, who played four seasons for Mason. “I loved learning from his competitive spirit and his relentless commitment to excellence. Being a part of the championship teams he created here at MSU was truly special and something I’ll have forever. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Marion, his daughters, Cindy and Tracey, and all of his family.”
Tracey Mason is the former wife of late University of Maine men’s hockey coach Shawn Walsh, and Ron Mason also was Walsh’s mentor and coach.
Mason, an Ontario native, spent 36 years (1966-2002) behind the bench in college hockey, and finished his coaching career with a record of 924-380-83. In 23 years at MSU (1979-2002), he posted a 635-270-69 mark.
Mason’s career highlights include an NCAA championship at Michigan State in 1986 and an NAIA Championship with Lake Superior State in 1972. He led MSU to 17 CCHA regular-season and playoff titles and guided 23 teams to the NCAA Tournament, an all-time record. In addition, he coached 35 All-Americans and 50 former Spartans who went on to establish careers in the NHL.
Mason served as MSU’s athletics director from 2002-07 when MSU teams captured 11 conference championships (regular season and postseason combined) and one national championship (hockey, 2007). In addition, MSU was represented at the NCAA Championships 76 times, including Final Four/Frozen Four appearances by men’s basketball (2005), women’s basketball (2005), field hockey (2002 and 2004) and ice hockey (2007).
In December 2013, Mason was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame.
“It’s definitely something special. You dream about winning the lottery, but not something like this,” said Mason at the time. “If you’ve put a lot of years in, like I did as a player, coach or athletics director, it’s nice to be rewarded at the end of it. It tells you that you did some things right, you worked hard and you loved your profession.
“I never thought I was ever going to be a coach. I wanted to be a teacher and a professor. As it turns out, I was able to do a little bit of both — I was able to teach and I was able to coach.”