[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 83 (Tuesday, May 20, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E973]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      PAYING TRIBUTE TO RON MASON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 20, 2008

  Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the 
accomplishments of Ron Mason as he retires after 29 years as a leader 
at Michigan State University. I want to thank Ron on behalf of those 
individuals who have benefited from his time, contributions, and 
dedication to world-class academics and athletics.
  Ron Mason's Michigan State career began with the 1979-80 season when 
he became head coach of the Spartan hockey team. He became a seven-time 
CCHA Coach of the Year and led the Spartans to seven regular-season 
league championships and 10 playoff crowns. In 2001, the conference 
honored Mason by renaming the CCHA playoff trophy--The Mason Cup--in 
recognition of his contributions to college hockey and the formation of 
the league as well as his success behind the bench.
  Considered one of the ``Founding Fathers'' of the CCHA, Ron joined 
Bowling Green's Jack Vivian and St. Louis University's Bill Selman in 
establishing a ``coaches' league'' in 1971. Among his many 
accomplishments included an NCAA Championship at Michigan State in 
1986. His dedication to upholding the values of sportsmanship and 
integrity at Michigan State University, and his continued work on 
behalf of the university and its community, is a testament to his 
strength of character.
  On March 18, 1994, a win over Bowling Green established him as the 
winningest college hockey coach in history. In 2001-02, Ron's final 
campaign as the Spartan coach, he recorded his unprecedented 900th win 
as a college hockey coach with a victory over Ferris State (Oct. 20, 
2001). In 2002, Ron was introduced as the 16th athletic director in 
Michigan State history. During his five-year tenure, State athletic 
squads have captured I1 conference championships (regular season and 
postseason combined) and one national championship. In addition, MSU 
has been represented at the NCAA Championships 72 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).
  Ron is also active in a number of local organizations and charities. 
He recently completed a 4-year term on the Sparrow Hospital Foundation 
Board and has set up the Ron Mason Fund for Kids that supports the 
Pediatric Rehabilitation Department, which has raised nearly $675,000 
since 1998. He also served as the honorary chairperson for the 
Children's Miracle Network, which has raised $19 million over the last 
19 years, and has worked with the Coaches For Kids campaign, which has 
raised $5.3 million in the last 7 years for a pediatrics emergency room 
at Sparrow Hospital. In addition, he served on the committee for the 
broomball game for the Legal Eagles, which benefited the Boys and Girls 
Club of Lansing, and spent several years on the Lansing Safety Council. 
Ron currently is a board member for the Lansing Chamber of Commerce.
  For all his career accomplishments, Ron has been inducted into the 
Michigan Sports Hall of Fame (1994), Lake Superior Sports Hall of Fame 
(1996) and St. Lawrence Sports Hall of Fame (1999). In addition, the 
American Hockey Coaches Association honored him with the John Machines 
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'' award in April 2004.
  Therefore Madam Speaker, I ask our colleagues to join me in honoring 
Ron Mason's exceptional service to students, athletes, and Michigan 
State University. May he know that his nation is greatly appreciative 
of his dedication, and wishes him the best in all his future endeavors.

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