Mason Signs Five-Year Contract
Mason Signs Five-Year Contract
Legendary MSU hockey coach took over as athletics director July 1.
July 8, 2002
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Ron Mason, who assumed the athletic directorship post at Michigan State University on July 1, has signed a five-year contract with an annual salary of $270,000.
The contract also includes possible deferred annual compensation - with emphasis on Mason serving until 2007 - of $89,100.
"When we talked with our executive search consultant, with the Big Ten, and with administrators at other universities, it became clear that at this time the market for outstanding leaders of major athletic departments is, more and more, extremely competitive, and that compensation is reflecting that situation," Vice President for Finance and Operations Fred Poston said.
"In Ron Mason, we have a nationally recognized leader, administrator, and manager. Ron has a record of making effective strategic and tactical decisions, and he is a proven advocate both internally and externally for Spartan athletics and the University overall."
Mason was named MSU's 16th athletics director following a 36-year career as a hockey coach. The Spartan coach for 23 years, he achieved the most wins (924) of any coach in the history of college hockey.
In 1966, Mason began his coaching career as the first head coach at Lake Superior State where he also served as assistant athletics director. In 1973, he moved on to Bowling Green where he spent six seasons as head coach. Mason took over the MSU hockey program prior to the 1979-80 season.
A graduate of St. Lawrence University, he received his master's from the University of Pittsburgh. In 2001, the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) renamed its playoff trophy in his honor. He has been inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, the Lake Superior State University Sports Hall of Fame, and the St. Lawrence University Sports Hall of Fame.
A national championship coach at MSU in 1986, Mason oversees a department in which 16 of 25 sports were represented in 2001-2002 NCAA Championships.