| Graduation Year | Class of 1979 |
| Date of Passing | Jan 08, 2004 |
| About | Published Tuesday January 13, 2004 THE HERALD BANNER GREENVILLE, Texas Ex-Husker QB Nate Mason dies at age 43 - Nate Mason, a University of Nebraska quarterback from 1979 through 1983, collapsed and died Thursday night while on a long walk near his home in south Greenville. He was 43. Mason, a Greenville High School assistant coach who starred for the high school team in the 1970s before being recruited by Nebraska, quarterbacked the Lions in 1978 to a share of the district title with Plano. He then went on to the Nebraska where he played on three Orange Bowl teams and three Big Eight title teams. Mason was a backup for Turner Gill for most of his career at Nebraska. He rushed for 63 yards and a touchdown in his first collegiate start as a junior during a 34-14 victory over Florida State in 1981. He also started in the next week's game against Penn State, but he aggravated an old ankle injury and missed the rest of the season after having surgery to remove calcium deposits. As a result of the injury, he was granted a medical hardship season and allowed to play in 1982 and 1983. During the 1983 season, he rushed for 222 yards and two touchdowns on 35 carries. For his NU career, he completed 16 of 44 passes for 239 yards and three touchdowns, with three interceptions. His career rushing marks included 491 yards on 106 carries and four touchdowns, with a 4.6-yard rushing average. He was the starting quarterback on Nebraska's 1979 freshman team, throwing for 346 yards and rushing for 144 yards during freshman competition. Mason was assistant coach at Greenville High School for 15 years. He had also worked with the Boys and Girls Club of Hunt County and the Chamber of Commerce Youth Under Construction project for several summers. Survivors include his wife, Diane; a son, Nate Jr.; and his mother, Claudia. His grandmother, Mae Dell Hubbard of San Ramon, Calif.; three brothers, John "Button" Mason & wife Debra of Dallas, John Nellius Mason & wife Marie of Garland, and John Mason Jr. & wife Sharron of Mesquite; two sisters, Tina Mason-Pitt of Houston and Lisa Mason-Hoskins & husband Rayford of Greenville; two sisters-in-law, Claudia "Nana" Anderson & husband Charlie of Greenville and Jan Lewis (Gran) of Greenville; brother-in-law Gerry Lewis & wife Karen of Atlanta, GA.; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, the late John Mason Sr., who was a star athlete at Carver High School in Greenville. Also by his father-in-law, mother-in-law, grandparents, one uncle, two aunts and a nephew. |
