Five Stick Friday

44 years ago yesterday, one of the most unlikely things in Sports History ever transpired. The United States Hockey Team, stitched together from college players by’ coach Herb Brooks, defeated the Russian team in the 1980 Winter Olympics.

I was 16 years old, and on a Church Retreat at Epworth By The Sea near St. Simons Island, GA. I’m not sure I realized back then exactly what had transpired. I mean I knew that it was a big deal to beat a “professional” Russian team, but over the past 44 years it has really sunk in that what transpired was technically “impossible”.

Where are the lessons here?

First, defining excellence as “giving the best you’ve got” comes into play. Of course Herb Brooks wanted to win the gold medal. He was the last man cut off the 1960 squad twenty years earlier…the last American squad to win the Hockey gold medal at the Olympics. But even he knew that the possibility of winning a gold was next to impossible. And while that was a goal, what he really set out to do was coach a bunch of talented but immature college players to “be the absolute best they could be”. And let the chips fall where they may.

Second, placing the needs of the “team” over the individuals on the team was paramount. Coach Brooks was deeply involved with each individual player, their home lives, their distractions, and their individual needs. And while understanding all of that, the goal was to produce a team that could play above the level of its collective parts, its players.

Third, the ability to cope with diversity was huge. The USA team played the Soviets just days before the 1980 Olympics began…and got WAXED 10-3. That’s a complete destruction in hockey terms.

And yet? Did he capitulate that his team couldn’t improve? No. Did he quit coaching and just mail the Olympics in? No. Did he inspire his players to “do the impossible”? Yes…yes he did.

That was 44 years ago. I remember the pride all Americans had when that game was played…and won. I remember the disbelief of the rest of the world…and of course I’ll never forget the voice of Al Michaels disbelievingly stating…”Do you believe in miracles?’ as the clock ran out on that game.

Wow, could this country use some pride like that again. Will we ever get it back?