MERLE "MASE" MASONHOLDER
(December 16, 1943-March 26, 2018)

WAUKESHA, Wis. - Merle Masonholder's influence on the Carroll University football program extended far beyond the shadows of the gridiron.
The longtime former head coach not only guided the Pioneers to many of the most memorable victories in school history but more importantly used his abilities as a kind, honest leader to help an endless list of young players excel in the game of life.
Masonholder, the winningest coach in program history, passed away Monday at age 74 in Fayette, Mo. following a recent, courageous battle with bone cancer.
Through 19 seasons at the helm (1982-2000) for Carroll, he finished with an 88-87 overall record, including 10 consecutive winning seasons and two conference championships - leading the Pioneers to prestigious league titles in both the College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin (1988) and Midwest Conference (1997).
Masonholder, a former two-time first-team all-conference tackle for the University of Northern Iowa, was an imposing fixture on the sidelines with his deep voice and clipboard in hand - playing a major role in developing six All-Americans and three conference Player of the Year award winners during his successful tenure.
"Coach Masonholder made a lasting memory in my life and I was blessed to play for him," said former Carroll standout quarterback Dave Weber, a 1988 Carroll graduate (who went on to be selected by the Los Angeles Raiders in the NFL Draft) and 1998 inductee into the Carroll Athletic Hall of Fame. "I have many great memories of Coach Mase but the football memory that will always hold true is that he never gave up on a group of freshmen who came to Carroll in 1983 and struggled. We were awful but he kept pushing us, recruited talented players and excellent coaches, and the graduating class of 1987-88 helped turn that program around. On a funny note, I can still smell the tuna fish can in his garbage, see the plastic cup of tobacco juice on his desk and remember how he used to tell us at game time to go out there and "let the fur fly."
"As a student/athlete he always gave his time and guidance whenever I asked. His wife, Kathy, also loved the team and her hugs and well wishes were always welcome. Through the years, I witnessed his concern for all of his players and knew that he was more than just a football coach."
Masonholder also served as Carroll Athletic Director from 1990-2001.
"From a historical perspective for those who did not know him, Coach Mase is remembered as the winningest football coach in Carroll's history, a person who served Carroll (College) as a coach, athletic director and valued employee," said current Carroll head football coach Mark Krzykowski, a 1994 Carroll graduate and former three-year standout linebacker for the Pioneers who went on to be named the Wisconsin Private School Coach of the Year in 2014. "For those who were lucky enough to know him, he is remembered for caring about his players, helping young men grow and learn about life. Football and athletics may have been the avenue but the goal was much bigger. He had a great sense of humor, a big heart and was able to keep life in perspective that wins were not more important than people."
As is often the case, disciplined, fundamentally sound teams often take on the personality of their head coach when the pressure is at its greatest with the game on the line.
Looking back in the annals from Saturday, October 8, 1988, that statement held true as the inspired Carroll (College) football team pulled out a dramatic 24-21 victory over four-time NCAA Division III champion and nationally ranked Augustana College to cap its Homecoming Weekend celebration.
In front of the loud, jam-packed stands at then-named Van Male Field, the Pioneers played with passion, fought hard for every yard and persevered with a gritty, determined game-winning drive in the final minutes to pull the upset.
It was one of the biggest victories in the long, storied history of the Carroll football program and arguably one of the most memorable highlights during Masonholder's hall-of-fame career - in hindsight capturing his passion for the game.
"It's a memory I think about quite often," said Masonholder, fondly recalling the special day prior to his induction into the Carroll Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011. "Augustana came in undefeated, had a 70-game winning streak and we beat them to ultimately win a conference championship. It was huge."
The jubilant, history-making victory epitomized Masonholder's tough, hard-nosed blue-collar approach to the game - something he maintained over the course of his memorable 45-year coaching career.
Following his time at Carroll, Masonholder finished his career by becoming head coach at Central Methodist University in Fayette, Mo. from 2001-2007.
A memorial service honoring his life is scheduled for Saturday, April 14, 2018 at 1 p.m. at Linn Memorial United Methodist Church on the Central Methodist campus with Rev. David Hutchinson officiating. Memorials are suggested for the Central Methodist Athletic Department or Cancer Research in care of Friemonth-Freese Funeral Home, 174 Highway 5 and 240 N. Fayette, MO 65248.