Ron Scott (2021) - Hall of Fame - Michigan State University Athletics

Ron Scott

Induction:
2021
Class:
1983

Ron Scott
Hockey (1980-83)
Guelph, Ontario
MSU Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2021

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Two-time First-Team All-American (1982-83)
• Two-time Hobey Baker Award finalist (1982-83)
• Two-time First-Team All-CCHA (1982-83)
• Hockey News College Player of the Year (1982)

HALL OF FAME FEATURE: CLASS OF 2021

When Ron Scott made the decision to come to Michigan State, he was hoping to be a part of something special. Two first-team All-America selections, two first-team All-CCHA nods, two Hobey Baker Award finalist appearances, three team MVP pieces of hardware and two George Alderton MSU Male Athlete of the Year trophies were just some of the honors bestowed on Scott during his marvelous three seasons for Michigan State.

"You think back and it was a long time ago, but to still be remembered and be alongside some of the greatest athletes at MSU is just a huge honor," Scott said. "I'm humbled."

Scott arrived in East Lansing from Guelph, Ontario, in what was Ron Mason's second year at MSU.

"I was familiar with Coach Mason from working at his hockey school for a few years," Scott said. "A couple of my friends that I grew up with played for him at Bowling Green. When I had the opportunity at Michigan State, I knew it'd be a perfect fit."

Scott, who along with teammate Newell Brown, came to MSU from the Cornwall Royals after winning a national championship for the junior team back home in Canada.

"The first year here was tough – we were in a complete rebuild and were a bunch of freshmen and sophomores playing against some of the best teams in the country," Scott said. "But we knew from day one and never wavered that it was going to turn around. It certainly was a culture change. We were different; we came with aspirations of playing more than college hockey."

In what was MSU's final year in the WCHA in 1980-81, Scott and the Spartans finished 12-22-2. Despite the team's record, Scott's play garnered notice as he was named the WCHA Freshman of the Year, the Spartans' Outstanding Rookie Award winner and the team MVP.

With a year of experience under their belts and the lessons of their rookie season, Scott and the Spartans had a breakout year in 1981-82. Scott backstopped the Spartans to a second-place regular season finish in the CCHA. MSU went on to win the CCHA Tournament title, with Scott winning Tournament MVP honors, and reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 15 years.

It was Scott's play that season that helped set the tone for the program for the years ahead. Scott posted a 2.85 GAA – the lowest by a Spartan goaltender in 12 seasons – and was a Hobey Baker Award finalist along with being named the Hockey News College Player of the Year.

While the program's first CCHA Tournament title may have been the highlight of 1981-82, it was a game earlier in the year that Scott points to as the turning point for the season – and perhaps the program.

"You have to find your moment where you start to believe that you are competitive," Scott said. "For us, it came against Michigan early in the year. Munn was rocking and we had a time early in the second period where we were two men down for four straight minutes. Not only did we kill all of it off, but for the last 45 seconds our three guys pinned their five guys in their zone and the place went crazy. From then on, we steamrolled them. That was a moment when we realized we were good."
The Spartans ended the year with a 26-14-2 record – 14 more wins than the previous season.

"That Michigan game was the moment that we knew this whole thing had turned," Scott said. "When you look back at it, it didn't' take that long. We went from last place to a national contender in basically a year and a half."

With MSU rising on the national scene, the Spartans had another banner year in 1982-83, racking up 30 wins for the first time in program history. Scott again posted glittering numbers, going 29-9-1 with a 2.64 GAA and .899 save percentage, leading to a host of accolades, including another First Team All-America nod and Hobey Baker Finalist selection.

Once again, MSU reached the CCHA Tournament title game that proved to be one of the most dramatic in league history. With MSU facing regular season champ Bowling Green and the game tied 3-3 in overtime, a Spartan penalty led to a penalty shot for Bowling Green's All-American, Brian Hills. Scott, who was battling an ankle injury at the time, got the best of Hills, denying his attempt and setting up Mark Hamway's game-winner a minute later.

"I injured my ankle a couple of weeks prior and then aggravated it the day before, so I was playing with a cast," Scott said. "I had no mobility, so rather than being able to slide left to right, I had to kind of jump. Quite honestly, I think that's what kind of confused Hills because I was so unorthodox because I couldn't move very well. It kind of caught him off guard."

Scott, who was also a two-time Academic All-America, left MSU after his junior season in 1982-83 to head to the National Hockey League. He went on to play five seasons for the New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings.

Scott's success left an enduring mark with Spartan hockey, helping raise the program to national prominence. But while it may have been him between the pipes stopping pucks, Scott is quick to credit his teammates for what turned into an outstanding career in the Green and White.

"We had a team concept that stressed defense and essentially made my job easy," Scott said. "Being a goalie, you're only there when your teammates need you. Yes, I got a lot of the credit, but it comes down to everybody on the team that took care of our own zone and made my job easier."