VIDEO: Space Coast Sports Hall of Famer Jack Masson Assists Youth To Excel In Sports, Life

By  //  April 30, 2016

SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME

ABOVE VIDEO: As director of Brevard County’s Parks and Recreation office, Jack Masson oversees a department critical in the development of Space Coast sports. Masson has been part of Parks and Recreation for an amazing 44 years and is proud of his office’s role in helping youth excel in sports and life.

2016 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Jack Masson
Jack Masson

• Excellence In Public Service Award
• UF Alumni Hall of Fame
• Rotary Club Paul Harris Award

44 YEARS WITH BREVARD COUNTY

Despite the many years that have passed, Jack Masson still remembers the skinny 10-year old who started in youth sports on the same team as Masson’s now grown son.

“He was not the best of athletes, but so eager to learn,” said Masson, who feels privileged to have helped the young man blossom in sports and life.

“Not only did he develop quickly in our local league and then in a local high school, but he was also later offered a scholarship to play football at a large university and became a three-year starting defensive player. This young man went on to receive his undergraduate, masters and PhD.”

As director of Brevard County’s Parks and Recreation office, Masson oversees a department critical in the development of Space Coast sports.

“The Brevard County Parks and Recreation Department is a strong supporter of all youth activities,” explained Masson.

“One main role in the development of youth is the provision of athletic facilities that allow them to gain the abilities, both in physical and life skills. Many of the organizations utilize either Brevard County or municipal fields and are Recreation Partners by agreement.”

He is proud of his office’s role in helping youth excel in sports and life.

VIDEO: Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2016, Induction Set May 13Related Story:
VIDEO: Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2016, Induction Set May 13

“As we know, youth sports are not only for achieving athletic skills, but more importantly, gaining life skills such as learning to be a member of a team, learning how to win and lose, to interact with others and at times sacrificing for the betterment of the team,” he said.

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A host of community youth organizations have recognized Masson’s support of their programs by presenting him with numerous awards of appreciation.

Masson has been part of Parks and Recreation for an amazing 44 years.

“I retired a couple of times, but I keep coming back!” he joked.

His efforts with the department earned him the County Commissioners’ Excellence in Public Service Award for management.

MEL-HIGH GRADUATE

During his brief “retirement,” Masson served as director of Florida Operations for the Washington Nationals baseball club.

Almost a native, Masson arrived in Brevard with his family in 1957. He graduated from Melbourne High School and attended Brevard Junior College, now Eastern Florida State College.

This devoted Gator, who received his bachelor’s degree in recreation administration, from the University of Florida, was inducted into the school’s College of Health and Human Performance Alumni Hall of Fame.

He is also the recipient of the Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellow Award, which is the club’s way of expressing appreciation through the Rotary Foundation to members who have distinguished themselves through educational and humanitarian initiatives worldwide.

Masson likes nothing better than hearing about the success of players who once practiced on Brevard County fields and facilities.

“I always am excited when someone advances from a local youth league to the high school, college or professional level, and I can say I knew him or her when he or she was in our local youth leagues.” he said.

THE 2017 SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME Banquet and Induction Ceremony will take place at the Cocoa Beach Country Club on Friday, May 12.

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT the 2017 SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME, call 321-615-8111 or e-mail MaverickMultimedia@gmail.com

CLICK HERE TO OBTAIN TICKETS

CLICK HERE to see all the members of the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame.

As director of Brevard County’s Parks and Recreation office, Masson oversees a department critical in the development of Space Coast sports. “The Brevard County Parks and Recreation Department is a strong supporter of all youth activities,” explained Masson. “One main role in the development of youth is the provision of athletic facilities that allow them to gain the abilities, both in physical and life skills. Many of the organizations utilize either Brevard County or municipal fields and are Recreation Partners by agreement.” He is proud of his office’s role in helping youth excel in sports and life.
As director of Brevard County’s Parks and Recreation office, Jack Masson oversees a department critical in the development of Space Coast sports. Masson has been part of Parks and Recreation for an amazing 44 years and is proud of his office’s role in helping youth excel in sports and life.