WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. – Retired Williams College women's lacrosse coach Chris Mason will be inducted into the Western Massachusetts Lacrosse Hall of Fame on Jan. 23 in Springfield.

 

Mason led the Williams lacrosse program for 33 years before returning at the 2017 season. This will be Mason's fourth Hall of Fame induction having previously inducted into the Interboro (Pa.) High School, Delaware County (Pa.) and U.S. Field Hockey Halls of Fame.

 

"I was surprised to receive the call from the Western Mass Lacrosse Hall of Fame," Mason said. "I feel very honored to be included with all of the other inductees, especially my long time mentor and good friend Renzie Lamb. I was pleased to learn that part of the this honor is for teaching and growing the game of lacrosse because I was happy and excited to help start the sport in Berkshire County high schools as a club sport. Renzie, Alix Barrale, and I had a lot of fun running our camps and clinics over the years and teaching the game to all ages." 

 

"I loved my time at Williams as I had the honor to work with incredible young women many of whom have gone on to coach lacrosse at various levels from youth to college and others who have established impressive professional careers in other fields."

 

Mason also served as the Ephs' head and assistant field hockey coach for 31 years, when she was not training and competing for the U.S. Olympic Field Hockey team. Mason was a member of the 1984 bronze medal U.S. Field Hockey team and participated in the shootout with Australia that won the U.S. its only Olympic field hockey medal to date.

 

Mason coached thirty-four All-American lacrosse players including one National Offensive and one National Defensive Player of the Year, was twice named the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Association (IWLCA) National Coach of the year (1996), and posted two undefeated seasons. Mason was the IWLCA Northeast Region Coach of the Year in 1993 and 1996.

 

Mason's first undefeated season was in 1989 when her Ephs compiled a 13-0 mark and her 1996 team posted a record of 15-0 and won the ECAC-New England title, but was unable to compete in the NCAA Tournament due to a conflict with final exams at Williams. Her overall record at Williams was 303-171 (.639). 

 

Mason's Ephs appeared in seven NCAA Tournaments finishing second in 1998 and 2000 won and the Ephs won 2000 and 2010 NESCAC titles and 14 Little Three titles.

 

"It is difficult to know where to begin when reflecting on Chris' lacrosse coaching career," Williams Athletic Director Lisa Melendy. "She is a much loved coach who has touched the lives of so many young women who will forever hold dear the memories of her and of their Williams lacrosse teams. She is shared with them her deep love of sport, lacrosse, and competition.  Her record reflects her ability to coach the game of lacrosse, to develop strategies and develop players to play at the highest level."