MLX: Coach Mason resigns to become head coach at Bowdoin

Bowdoin announces Bill Mason as New Head Coach  Coach Mason Speaks to Laser Nation

NEWTON, Mass. – Lasell University is looking for a new head men's lacrosse coach after Monday's announcement that Bill Mason has resigned to become the new head coach at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine.

Mason departs Lasell after six highly successful seasons, including the 2021 campaign that included a 10-3 overall record, the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) championship, and a berth in the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament. Mason guided the Lasers to a sparkling 61-23 overall record the past six years, including a 36-3 mark against GNAC opponents, and conference Championships in 2017 and 2021. A two-time GNAC Coach of the Year (2017, 2021), Mason coached 47 All-Conference selections in his tenure at Lasell, nine GNAC major award recipients, eight New England Senior All-Star game participants, and one All-American.

A member of the prestigious New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC), the Bowdoin men's lacrosse season was cancelled in 2021 and played only three games in 2020 due to the pandemic. The Polar Bears posted a combined 30-18 record from 2016-18 in one of the nation's strongest Division III conferences, including a 12-5 mark in 2016. Bowdoin made NCAA Tournament appearances in 2008 and 2012.

"I am forever grateful for the opportunity to have led the men's lacrosse program at Lasell," said Mason. "I am so proud of and thankful to all of the men that I have had the pleasure to coach over the years, as well as all of the faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and supporters of the program. A special thanks to Athletic Director Kristy Walter for taking a chance on me six years ago, and to faculty member Karin Raye for her influence and support of our program. Lasell will always be a special place for me as it was the first place I became a head coach, and I look forward to following the program from up north and wish everyone at Lasell continued success."

A 2012 graduate of Western New England University, Mason came to Lasell after three years as an assistant coach at NESCAC institution Bates College.

"Over the past six years, Bill worked hard to raise the level of the men's lacrosse program," said Lasell Athletic Director Kristy Walter. "He built solid connections with student-athletes, parents and alumni and created a strong team culture. While I am sad to see him go, I know that he is leaving the program with a lot of momentum that we will continue to carry forward. I am grateful for the dedication that he showed to the program and to the student-athletes. Bowdoin is a great opportunity for Coach Mason and we wish him the best of luck in his new chapter."

Walter said the search for a new head coach for the Lasers will begin immediately.

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