Hockey! The 1980 United States Olympic Hockey Team

To the average individual, the word â€Å"miracle† has many meanings. However, to the avid hockey fan, the word â€Å"Miracle† is vernacular that will be forever engrained in their hearts and history books. While the term itself is broad, miracles turn doubters into believers. This was exactly the case during the 1980 United States Olympic Hockey team shocked the world. In 1980, the U.S. men’s hockey team, consisting of college players and hopeful pros, won Olympic gold. No other Olympic performance was so uniting and inspiring to our nation. Upon scoring the game-winner and clinching the gold medal, Eruziones goal triggered a spontaneous national celebration of amazing proportions. Overcome with joy, our nation celebrated with a display of†¦show more content†¦When one member told Coach Brooks that it was a â€Å"pretty loft goal,† Herb responded â€Å"well that’s why I want to pursue it.† As Elvis Mitchell from the New York Times s ays about Herb Brooks, â€Å"Taking a group of young, unproven players allows him to beat them down by constant pressure into the unit he wants-he says they may not be the best team, but theyre the right one.† (Mitchell 1) Frankly, Coach Brooks was not expected to win. Miracle portrays Coach Brooks as idealistic. Through his coaching and leadership style, Brooks’ ideals were a microcosm of our Capitalist society. Without Coach Brooks, this team would have not accomplished what it did. To this end, Herb Brooks maximized player potential by pushing them to be the best they could be. He saw a talented group of young men and knew that if he encouraged and pushed them enough, he could help them achieve their goals. Despite not having the stars the Russians did, Brooks instilled a work ethic that overpowered the Russians. This was rooted in Coach Brooks militant drills during practice. While Coach Brooks was a great coach when it came to the x’s and o’s of the game, he was an even better leader and motivator. More so, he inspired confidence in his men. Playing against Russia was a seemingly insurmountable task and wasShow MoreRelatedThe 1980 Miracle on Ice1308 Words   |  6 PagesThe most memorable moment in hockey history came thirty-four years ago with the 1980 Miracle on Ice. The Americans defeating the dominant Soviet team at the Olympics was not only an important triumph for USA Hockey, but for the entire nation. Contrary to popular belief, the underdog win was not only the result of a miracle; it was also the result of a hard-working team led by Coach Herb Brooks. With increasingly negative views on the position of the United States in the Cold War, the Miracle on IceRead MoreMiracle1423 Words   |  6 Pagesthe U.S men’s ice hockey team winning the 1980 gold metal for the Winter Olympics, led by head coach Herb Brooks. Miracle was fairly accurate with its historic content during the course of the movie. The director Gavin O’Connor did a good job tying in historical and political background that brought the film together, which made it unique to other sport films. In the beginning of the film there was a sequence highlighting the historical events that lead up to the 1980 Winter Olympics. Miracle specificallyRead MoreMiracle on Ice Essay815 Words   |  4 PagesLegacy Americas 1980 Olympic hockey team looms large in the sporting imagination. History has framed the Miracle On Ice as one of those rare sporting achievements that transcend sport. 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He motivated with a powerful punch, mostly through fear, but was able to unite his teams and eventually the country. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Herb Brooks was born on August 5, 1937 in St. Paul Minnesota (Herb Brooks). Growing up in Minnesota, he became attached to the sport of ice hockey. He spent years practicing and playing this sport, and in 1955, he led his high school team to the state championship. After three years of collegeRead MoreMiracle On Ice And The Cold War Essay2093 Words   |  9 PagesMiracle on Ice and The Cold War After World War II, the United States and the Soviets, considerably the two greatest superpowers of that time went from allies to enemies as we entered the era of the Cold war. During this period of time, there were critical turning points that proved vital in the revitalization of the American vitality. One of these pivotal moments derived from the outcome of the 1980 Winter Olympic games. The USA hockey teams defeat over the Soviets boosted the spirits of the AmericanRead MoreThe 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team3075 Words   |  13 Pages People consider the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team to be one of the greatest things to happen in U.S Olympic history. Their game against the Soviets is known as The Miracle on Ice. The world was stunned when the United States defeated the Soviets in the semi-final game of the 1980 Olympics. The Soviets hadnt been beaten in the gold medal game in years. This miracle game is still greatly known around the world and will not be forgotten by Americans any time soon. In an article titled, This Miracle