In addition to his success as a coach, Mason was involved in organizing the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) and helping it to grow into one of the most powerful college hockey conferences of the 1980s, '90s, and 2000s. When Mason began coaching in 1966 there were only two major conferences in the NCAA, the Eastern College Athletic Conference and the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. While building the ice hockey program at Lake Superior State to Division I status, Mason found that his team was left without a conference. In 1972 Mason, along with Bowling Green State University's Jack Vivian, St. Louis University's Bill Selman, Ohio State University's Dave Chambers, Ohio University's John McComb and the CCHA's first commissioner Fred Jacoby, formed the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. Mason's coaching tenure at Bowling Green State produced the CCHA's first NCAA tournament berth, first appearance in the NCAA Frozen Four, and first national No. 1 ranking. For his contributions in helping build the CCHA, the conference renamed their tournament championship trophy as the Mason Cup in 2000–01. Philanthropy Mason volunteered with the Sparrow Foundation where he established the Ron Mason Fund for Pediatric Rehabilitation which helps children with disabilities. The fund has raised $675,000 for the foundation since 1998. He was also honorary chairperson for the Children's Miracle Network which has raised $19 million plus since 1989. Death Mason died on the morning of June 13, 2016 in Haslett, Michigan after suffering a heart attack. He was 76. Notable players coached In his 36 years, Mason coached a number of outstanding players. Hobey Baker Award winners Hobey Baker Award finalists AHCA All-America CCHA Player of the Year NHL first round draft picks Joe Murphy was first NCAA player selected first overall Select NHL players Olympians Head coaching record See also List of college men's ice hockey coaches with 400 wins Awards and honors References External links 1940 births 2016 deaths Bowling Green Falcons ice hockey coaches Ice hockey people from Ontario Lake Superior State Lakers men's ice hockey coaches Michigan State Spartans athletic directors Michigan State Spartans ice hockey coaches People from Huron County, Ontario Peterborough Petes (ice hockey) players St. Lawrence Saints men's ice hockey players United Hockey League coaches University of Pittsburgh alumni