Ron Mason, the winningest coach in college hockey history, is stepping aside this week from the job he has held at Michigan State for 23 years. The 62-year-old will become the school’s athletic director on July 1.
Mason insists he’s not emotional about the end of his era behind the bench.
“If I was retiring completely, maybe I’d feel differently,” Mason said. “But I’m going to continue being at Michigan State. . . . It’s going to be a great buffer for me.”
Mason leaves with an awe-inspiring record of 924-380-83. He won a national title in 1986 and coached in eight national semifinals. The Central Collegiate Hockey Association thought enough of him to name its tournament trophy the Mason Cup last year.
“I think what he’s done for college hockey is as impressive as what any college coach in any sport has ever done,” Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo said.
Star search
Derek Hasselhoff, a pitching prospect for the Red Sox, is the cousin of David Hasselhoff of “Baywatch” fame.
“You can tell he’s Hasselhoff’s cousin,” says NBC’s Conan O’Brien, “because after he hits the ball, he runs in slow motion.”
Say what?
`I found out I had less relatives on the road.’
–Popeye Jones on life with the Washington Wizards after Michael Jordan’s injury
