An American Miracle
Sports Illustrated called it "the greatest sports moment of the twentieth century." In the excitement of the game, Sportscaster Al Michaels, who did the play by play, coined the phrase "Do you believe in miracles?" On February 22, 1980, at the Lake Placid Winter Olympics, a determined team of American college students defeated professional hockey players from the Soviet Union. That hockey game will be forever known as "The Miracle on Ice."
I remember quite vividly my frame of mind, and situation in life, in February 1980. I was 29 years old, married with three small children. Although I was a college graduate, I couldn't get a job in Sioux Falls, South Dakota so I worked for a temporary agency. My regular assignment was to empty the garbage in the dorms at a local college for about $4.00 per hour. It was demeaning and especially so because I was being bossed around all day by a guy younger than me, a high school drop-out, who drove the truck. I felt like a failure and I was embarrassed by my circumstances. I daily fought off the fear that I wouldn't be able to pay my bills, make the rent or even feed my family.
America's image as a Super Power had been diminished in the eyes of the world when our government seemed weak in response to the taking of 52 hostages by Iran. Inflation was out of control and Americans were dealing with the rising cost of gas and unemployment. It seemed that our country was humiliated and mocked by the rest of the world and that our best days were behind us.
I felt an emotion of gloom in our country and my own household continued to struggle with too much month left over at the end of the money. My wife worked full-time, also with a temp agency, but most of her earnings were wiped out by daycare expenses. We seemed to be in an abyss with no way out. A friend had recently told me, "The American Dream is Dead." I didn't want to believe that but it was getting harder, with each passing day, to believe in the American Dream and that it was attainable for me.
I had a dream for my life and had been hopeful that my wife and I could make it come true. But in February 1980, I was discouraged. It seemed to me that no one would give me a chance to show what I could do. All I wanted was an opportunity to prove myself. I began reading about the U.S. Olympic hockey team and followed their early victories. It was refreshing to read some good news about America and to get my mind off my own problems. Watching the young Olympians succeed started to give me hope in America and just as importantly, hope in myself.
I had played some intramural hockey in my senior year of college but the only memorable things about my hockey career were two late-night trips to the emergency room to stitch up gashes above my right eye caused by errant hockey sticks. We didn't use helmets.
In 1980, the Soviets were considered the greatest hockey team in the world, superior even to the teams of the National Hockey League. They had won every Olympic hockey gold medal since 1956 except for one. They were the unassailable, defending, world champions. Only thirteen days before, this same American team, was trounced by the Soviets in an exhibition game by a score of 10-3. New York Times columnist Dave Anderson wrote: "Unless the ice melts, or unless the United States team or another team performs a miracle, the Russians are expected to easily win the Olympic gold medal for the sixth time in the last seven tournaments."
So, how did these young college students beat the well-seasoned, Soviet professionals? According to freelance, hockey journalist, Jamie Fitzpatrick, 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Coach, Herb Brooks held numerous tryout camps for several hundred players which even included psychological testing before he picked his final roster. Brooks emphasized speed, conditioning and discipline. Coach Brooks told his players, "Gentlemen, you don?t have enough talent to win on talent alone," which meant they had to play as a team, skate fast and hustle. He brought together the New England and Midwestern players as a team, despite their different personalities, styles, and backgrounds by making himself their common enemy.
Playing as a team also meant that each individual had to accept responsibility for his specific role. When the situation got tough, there was always a player who stepped up to save the day. In their first official Olympic competition, Team USA was behind by one goal against Sweden. With 41 seconds left in the game, Coach Brooks pulled the goalie for the extra attacker and forward, Bill Baker tied the score by scoring a goal with twenty-seven seconds left in the game. If Baker hadn't scored that goal, the Americans would not have even qualified for the medal round.
In the game against the Soviets it was Team Captain, Mike Eruzione who got the game winning goal. With ten minutes left in the game, Eruzione fired a wrist shot from the top of the circle that beat Soviet Goalie, Vladimir Myshkin. As the game winning goal, Eruzione's is the most celebrated. But if Mark Johnson hadn't scored two clutch goals to tie the game at 2-2 and later at 3-3, Eruzione wouldn't have had the game winner. It was a team effort and individuals were stepping up to the challenge.
Goalie, Jim Craig was charged with the monumental task of tending goal for the US. After Eruzione's goal put The US ahead 4-3, the fans, the team and a nation in need of a hero, watched as the 21 year old college student blocked one shot after another. Some of his saves that night were phenomenal. The US only took 16 shots on the Soviet's net while they took 39 shots on the US goal. Craig blocked 36 of them.
After defeating the Soviets, America still had to play one more game against Finland for the gold medal. In that game they also trailed for a time, but ultimately prevailed 4-2.
I will never forget the iconic image of Jim Craig in 1980 being mobbed by his team, draped with the American flag. Coach Brooks said of Jim Craig, "He was a tower of strength for us."When I watched that game, I was filled with excitement and hope for my country. I will never forget the emotions it aroused. Once again, I was proud to be an American and I was glad that someone was not ashamed to wave Old Glory. Their victory gave me confidence that I could succeed too.
In 2001, I had the opportunity to meet Jim Craig and shake his hand. He was in Philadelphia to promote a youth hockey clinic and a reunion game to be played the following year. I never thought I would ever get to meet him. I was as excited as a kid meeting Santa Claus for the first time and too nervous to say much. Jim was soft spoken and polite to everyone. He gave me the impression that he wasn't there as a sports hero, but simply as a guy who wanted to promote the game he loves. He was a gentleman and a class act.
The Twin Towers of the World Trade Center had fallen about three months earlier by terrorists wanting to destroy America. Our country was again faced with serious challenges and Americans felt a sense of unity that I had not seen before. This historical context made Jim's visit all the more significant and aroused the same emotions in me that the American victory inspired in 1980: pride in America and hope for my future. By 2001, I had achieved a successful professional career in management for a top corporation. I was still proud of America and Jim Craig but now I was also proud of myself and my career. A lot had changed for me since 1980.
I watched as he gave a five minute interview about "The Miracle on Ice." Jim talked about how Coach Brooks chose the players for the team. There were better players he might have picked but Brooks wanted team chemistry and players with the moral values to put team goals ahead of individual goals. He also spoke of his admiration for his teammates who were willing to take the risks necessary in order to win.
Not once did Craig talk about himself or his own accomplishments. He didn't mention his 36 saves against the 39 shots on goal on that historic night. What he did talk about was his respect for the Soviet team and how the Americans knew they were underdogs but still believed they could beat the world?s best. Jim was still the consummate team player and reminded me again that if you have faith, anything is possible.
Before leaving the studio that day, Jim autographed a picture in a newspaper clipping which was taken just after the US had defeated Finland. He's holding his stick and the American flag. He wrote, "To Buck, all the best, Jim Craig, 1980 Gold."
The newspaper article is yellow now but I still get tears in my eyes when I read it, just as
I did when I watched them beat the Soviets.
--Buck Dopp
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