Luongo named head coach at Huntsville

UAH Press Release

After spending the last two seasons as the top assistant coach with the Alabama-Huntsville Chargers hockey program, Chris Luongo has been named the fourth head coach in school history.

“I am extremely excited about this opportunity and I want to thank Mr. Harris and Dr. Williams for entrusting UAH Hockey to me,” said Luongo. “This is something I take very seriously and I am committed to our student-athletes, the university, and to the Huntsville community.”

A former NHL defenseman, Lungo joined the Charger program in 2008 following two seasons as assistant coach at Wayne State.

“Chris has done an excellent job with our student-athletes both on the ice and in the classroom the past two seasons and there is no doubt in my mind that he's the right guy for our university to lead the UAH hockey program,” noted UAH Director of Athletics Jim Harris.

An All-CCHA defensemen at Michigan State under legendary hockey coach Ron Mason , Luongo was part of the Spartans program from 1985-1989 including MSU's 1986 national championship team. Following his collegiate career, Luongo, a fifth-round selection by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft, played with the Phoenix Roadrunners of the IHL and the Adirondack Red Wings of the AHL before making his NHL debut in Detroit in the 1990-91 season.

“The University of Alabama in Huntsville has had a proud tradition of coaches from coach Ritch to coach (Doug) Ross to coach (Danton) Cole and I look forward to putting my mark on Charger hockey,” remarked Luongo. “Having been here for two years, I have become well aware of the amazing support that UAH Hockey receives from the University, the Alumni, and the Huntsville community and look forward to building on that support in the coming years.”

A Fraser native, Luongo along with his wife, Cheryl and two sons, Anthony and Christopher, live in Madison, Ala. Luongo replaces Cole, who resigned in June to take a head coaching position with USA Hockey.

Mason to be honored at MSU banquet

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

Ron Mason, the all-time winningest coach in NCAA hockey history and former Michigan State athletic director, has been selected to receive the Spartan Hockey 2008 Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Mason will be honored at the Hockey Awards Banquet on Tuesday, April 15 at the Kellogg Center.

Mason’s 36-year coaching career, 23 seasons of which were spent as the Michigan State mentor, concluded in 2002, when he announced his retirement from coaching and assumed the leadership of the 25-sport department. Mason finished his coaching career with a record of 924-380-83. In 23 years at Michigan State, he posted a 635-270-69 mark. His career highlights include an NCAA championship in 1986 and an NAIA championship with Lake Superior State in 1972. He led MSU to 17 CCHA regular-season and playoff titles and guided 23 teams to the NCAA Tournament, an all-time record. In addition, he coached 35 All-Americans and 50 former Spartans who went onto to establish careers in the National Hockey League.

“Ron Mason’s name is synonymous with Michigan State hockey,” noted current MSU head coach Rick Comley. “Ron’s records and reputation speak for themselves - he is a very deserving recipient of this honor.”

“I established this award to recognize former players who played for Amo Bessone,” noted Mason. “We really have some unbelievable alumni with impressive accomplishments not only in hockey, but in life. So now, to be the recipient, it’s very special to me, and I could not have accomplished what I did without the assistance of so many people along the way. I’m very honored that they have selected me as the recipient.”

Tickets for the banquet are available for $35 and additional information can be obtained by calling the hockey office at 517-355-1639 or by emailing hockey@msu.edu.