Herb Brooks

Herb Brooks was an American ice hockey player and coach, most famous for leading the U.S. men's Olympic team to victory over the Soviet Union in the 1980 Winter Olympics. This event, known as the "Miracle on Ice," was a significant upset, as the Soviet team had dominated international hockey for years. Brooks, who had previously coached the University of Minnesota to a national championship, assembled a team of college players and instilled in them a unique, fluid style of play. Despite a challenging exhibition schedule and a lopsided loss to the Soviets shortly before the Games, Brooks's team defied expectations. They defeated the Soviets 4-3 in a dramatic game, and then went on to win the gold medal by beating Finland. Brooks's coaching philosophy and memorable aphorisms are also a key part of his legacy.12