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Bacon pays tribute to pair of Michigan hockey giants: Gordie Howe, Ron Mason

Gordie Howe circa 1966.
ARNIE LEE / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Gordie Howe circa 1966.

Our conversation with John U. Bacon

It has been a difficult couple weeks for sports fans in Michigan. On the day of Muhammad Ali's funeral (Ali spent nearly two decades of his life in Berrien Springs, Mich.), it was announced that hockey legendGordie Howe passed awayat the age of 88. And on Monday, June 13, while the hockey world was still grieving the loss of "Mr. Hockey," Michigan State coaching legendRon Mason died at age 76

Former Michigan State hockey coach and athletic director Ron Mason passed away early Monday at age 76.
Credit COURTESY PHOTO / MSU ATHLETICS
Former Michigan State hockey coach and athletic director Ron Mason passed away early Monday at age 76.

Michigan Radio sports commentatorJohn U. Baconjoined Stateside to pay tribute to both men. Howe, who Bacon called the "best that ever was," was a Detroit Red Wings icon who helped the club win four Stanley Cups, and is still celebrated all over the world.

When Mason retired as Michigan State's men's hockey coach in 2002 and transitioned into a job as the university's athletic director, he was the winningest coach in college hockey history.

The sport of hockey lost two of its giants over the last week. You can listen to the full interview with Bacon to hear his tribute to both, and how each man changed the sport in his own way.

 

GUEST

John U. Bacon is Michigan Radio's sports commentator

Copyright 2021 Michigan Radio. To see more, visit Michigan Radio.

Josh Hakala, a lifelong Michigander (East Lansing & Edwardsburg), comes to Michigan Radio after nearly two decades of working in a variety of fields within broadcasting and digital media. Most recently, he worked for Advance Digital where he managed newspaper websites from across the country, including MLive.com. While his resume is filled with sports broadcasting experience (Big Ten Network, 97.1FM The Ticket, 610AM WIP etc.), radio reporting (90.1FM WRTI) and odd jobs (Editor for the FIFA video game series for EA Sports), he brings a passion for news and storytelling to the Stateside staff.