After months as an observer, legendary hockey head coach Ron Mason will assume the duties of MSU athletics director starting today.
Mason, who officially begins tenure July 1, takes over for the departing Clarence Underwood. Underwood’s term doesn’t expire until June 30, but he will spend his final two weeks on vacation.
The 62-year-old Mason said he will not be making any major moves soon.
“I’m not going to make any changes right off the top,” he said. “I don’t think that’s necessary.
“There are some things here that have to be done. But I don’t think I have to reinvent the wheel. I can basically build on what’s here.”
Part of Mason’s long-term plans includes adding luxury boxes to Spartan Stadium.
“When you look around the country, it seems to be the next wave of entertainment, to have club seating,” he said. “I think it’s a way to generate more dollars in a way that people like.”
A major concern of most Division I schools - Title IX - doesn’t appear to be an issue Mason will lose sleep over. MSU’s athletics department is in line with Title IX guidelines, and is set to be certified in 2004.
“We’re right on track, and we’re continuing to make sure we are,” Mason said. “There are no issues there.”
As of now, MSU has 25 varsity sports and Mason doesn’t envision that number changing any time soon.
“I hope I never have to cut a sport,” he said. “I don’t see us really adding sports either. If we have something, we have to deal with it and make sure we can afford it.
“I wouldn’t add something to drop something else.”
Former athletics director George Perles said Mason’s experiences as a hockey coach will benefit the entire department.
“I think the advantages are that he knows how to run a program,” the former football head coach said. “Running a program is just like being an athletics director in a smaller fashion.
“It’s a great advantage to have an athletics director who’s been on the sidelines. It’ll be good for Bobby (Williams), it’ll be good for Tommy (Izzo) and it’ll be good for our hockey coach (Rick Comley). It’s a great advantage for someone to understand the anxiety and the pressures you go through.”
