Although it may be hard to grasp the concept of hockey head coach Ron Mason not being ice-side forever, it’s a fact of life the Spartan family will have to learn to swallow.
Mason, 62, will likely step down from his coaching position in June to become MSU’s 16th athletics director.
University officials released a statement at Saturdays night’s 5-1 win over Ohio State at Munn Ice Arena that MSU President M. Peter McPherson will recommend Mason for the position. The MSU Board of Trustees will likely approve him for the top athletics post at its Feb. 13 meeting.
Mason, has charted 36 years as a college hockey head coach - the last 23 at MSU. He has compiled a career record of 916-376-81 while also coaching Lake Superior State and Bowling Green.
Since taking the Spartan helm in 1979, Mason has lead MSU to a national title in 1986 and eight NCAA Frozen Four berths in 21 tournament appearances. He has compiled a record of 627-266-67 at MSU.
It’s in MSU’s best interest to put a leader with such a clean and distinguished record as Mason in the athletics director position, which has been highlighted by a decade of turnover troubles.
In 1992, MSU trustees removed former football head coach George Perles from the position. The university was left facing sanctions for NCAA violations during his tenure.
His successor, Merrily Dean Baker, resigned after two years. She was followed by Merritt Norvel, who also resigned before his contract was up.
Longtime assistant athletics director Clarence Underwood assumed the position in 1999 and holds the title today. He will retire when his contract expires in June.
Mason, a seven-time CCHA coach of the year, has led a distinguished tradition at MSU. He can be considered among the top respected college coaches in the nation by his fans.
While it will be sad to see college hockey’s winningest coach bow away from the ice, it is comforting to know it will be his charge to find his replacement as Spartan hockey head coach. He is indeed the best man for the job.
Mason, who earned national coach of the year honors in 1992, became the NCAA all-time winningest leader in 1993 when he passed former Boston College coach Len Ceglarski’s mark of 673 victories.
When Mason leaves his spot behind the bench at Munn for a seat behind a desk at Jenison Field House, the lights will fade on a golden hockey career. But he will still be able to lead Spartan teams to victory by running a respectable athletics department.
Thank you, Ron Mason, for continuing to bleed green and white and for being a living example of the definition of Spartan pride.
