Shrouded in a blanket of snow, Lake Placid, NY, is a beautiful town in February. Even more beautiful is the feeling of community pride that is palpable everywhere.

Lake Placid is an Olympic town, but not any Olympic town. It is a place where Eric Heiden did the impossible, five gold medals. We will never see that feat again.

Right next door to the skating oval that Heiden made famous, the 1980 US Olympic Hockey Team did something that was both impossible and improbable. They beat the Soviets at their own game, and in so doing they earned the admiration of the world.

In Lake Placid, dreams become realities.

Together with seven seniors from King’s College, my wife and I returned to this sacred place to walk in the footsteps of the young giants who made America proud again.

Yes, it was 25 years after the fact. Yes, the crowds were small. Yes, the streets were passable, and the buses were running on time. But the atmosphere was just as infectious as it was in 1980.

Wherever we went we were reminded of the people, events and accomplishments of the American Olympians who trudged along Main Street peering their heads into the stores and restaurants that offered warmth and good cheer to everyone who entered in February 1980.

At the municipal parking lot we met Officer John Malcolm, a young man with a smile that is almost as big as Ireland. He was pleasant, accommodating, and oh, so helpful.

At The Bookstore Plus we met Nancy Beattie who was more than willing to permit us to record her big event. Wayne Coffey would be signing copies of his latest book, The Boys of Winter, and we were welcome to take pictures and talk with the celebrated sports writer from the NY Daily News.

In Lake Placid, the doors are always open to strangers.

We were told that Coffey was a pleasant person and a gentleman, and when we met him, we were not disappointed. If anything, the billing was understated. He took time with us before the event began, and he was charming to our students.

by: Tony Mussari

“He was difficult to play for…but in the end he knew what he was doing.”
- Mike Eruzione describing Coach Herb Brooks

It was an amazing experience… I will never forget it…. The past weekend was incredible…I will never forget this moment, the way I feel right now and all of the moments you've given me…The event was so much more than I ever expected… I'd like to thank you for this weekend and for giving my mom the moment you talked about all year…I was so moved by the emotions displayed in the auditorium and at the dinner. My parents enjoyed every minute of the weekend as did I… I especially love that you NEVER gave up on me…The first part of "Miracle at Placid" was incredible.

These words of accomplishment, gratitude and satisfaction filled my mailbox this week. They recorded the sentiments of students, consultants, and guests who participated in that magical day when the Miracle At Placid Project was presented to the public.

Saturday, May 7, 2005, was a beautiful day in Pennsylvania. The sun sat high in the heavens, and the sights, sounds and smells of spring were everywhere. It was a day when you were happy to be alive.

On the corner of North River and Union Streets in Wilkes-Barre, PA, across the street from the meandering Susquehanna River in a building named after a King’s College graduate, entrepreneur and dreamer who changed the telephone industry forever, William J. McGowan, a group of 100 plus parents and friends anxiously awaited the start of Senior Weekend.

At 11 a.m., the Burke Auditorium was buzzing with nervous energy. Then, the room fell silent. The voices of the Bee Gees filled the air. Six dancers carrying signs reading, Inflation, Energy Crisis, Afghanistan, Abscam, and Love Canal burst through the doors. They pointed, shimmied, bounced and did the familiar grind as the Aussies who gave the disco era its distinctive brand sang the theme song of “Saturday Night Fever.”

Angela Ponte dressed in a business suit and high heels joined the troupe. The senior from New Jersey couldn’t hold back her enthusiasm or the smile that lit up her face from ear to ear.

This high energy, cleverly choreographed summary of the history and culture of the 70s by disco dancers in period costumes started the day on a high note… a day that was 15 weeks in the making… a day that ran seamlessly into the darkness of the pre-midnight hour… a day that everyone will remember for years to come.

A Shortstop with a Message

Ponte was followed by a young woman dressed in a bright red uniform with black trim. Stacey Preambo, one of the stars of the Monarch softball team, was driven from a pre-game practice so that she could make her presentation and then rejoin her team for the divisional playoffs. It was a special moment, and everyone knew it.

Standing behind the podium was an athlete Herb Brooks would have enjoyed coaching. She did not take a bye. She made it her business to address her academic responsibilities with the same adeptness that she employed while patrolling her shortstop position. She talked about Brooks, his coaching philosophy and training strategy.

It was a dynamite presentation, because her behavior spoke to many of the values she learned from studying Coach Brooks and visiting Lake Placid.

Preambo did not have to say the words. Everyone in the room knew them instinctively. The fact that she was there spoke volumes about discipline, preparation, responsibility, teamwork and loyalty. Coach Herb Brooks would have been very pleased.

If ever there was a moment that defined the essence of The Miracle at Lake Placid Project, it was Stacey Preambo ending her talk with tears in her eyes and a lump in her throat as she spoke these words: “This project meant the world to me. I learned so much about values, coaching and life. I will never forget it.”

Later that afternoon, Preambo won gold again, this time on a softball field in Kingston, PA.

Professor Are You There, The Captain Asked?

At noon, the speaker phone rang, and the familiar voice of the Captain of the 1980 US Olympic Hockey Team intoned, “Professor, are you there?” For the next 14 minutes, Mike Eruzione talked about his coach, his team, and the significance of the events in Lake Placid.

“I know the students worked hard and I am very proud of their work. If you believe in something, no matter what it is…if you are willing to work hard and you have passion anything is possible,” Eruzione said with authority
“Each and every student in this room is going to have an opportunity to do something,” he continued, “It’s what they do with the opportunity that counts. If you understand the value of work, at some point in your life you will be successful.”

“Herb Brooks was demanding. He pushed us hard. There were times when we did not like him because he pushed us so hard, but we always had respect for him because he was a man of honesty, passion and belief.”

“He was like your dad,” said Eruzione, “Sometimes you love your dad and sometime you hate your dad because he makes you do things you don’t want to do.”

The conversation ended with a lighthearted remark, and the audience responded with a thunderous round of applause. The rest of the day was an unending series of slap shots that scored big with everyone in the room.

When D.J. Pizzani walked to the podium, everyone in the room knew it was a very special moment. Pizzani was the designer for the practicum project and the Senior Weekend. What made this so special? D.J. was not enrolled in the course, and yet, he created seven items for the project. With the discipline and confidence of a seasoned professional, he described his journey, The Miracle on Ice: A Visual Interpretation. Before the day ended, Pizzani received the Kenneth F. Mussari Award for Outstanding Service and leadership.

Karlina Zikor had been waiting since 2001 for her moment. She, too, was a natural leader of the class. A member of the Sensational Seven, her project 48 Hours in Lake Placid Perspective in Warp Speed was told with dignity and class. Her willingness to serve as the photojournalist for the final trip to Lake Placid in February resulted in several breathtaking photos of Whiteface Mountain and a number of other Olympic venues. Later in the day, Karlina would receive the leadership award for her numerous contributions throughout the year to the senior experience and the Miracle at Placid Project.

Katie Chandler, perhaps the most left brained member of our team, agreed to take on two challenging assignments: the construction of the navigation bar for our website and a summary of all of the major events of the semester. With discipline and artistry she told her story, The Miracle in Bites and Bytes. At the end of her presentation she showed her grace and charm as she shared the stage with Mark Bailey another member of the class of ‘05 who created the Miracle At Placid website.

When Chandler finished the room slipped into an eerie silence, and then it happened. Parents began to express their thoughts about the Expo. Their comments were heartfelt, joyful and celebratory. They liked what they saw and they felt very good about what they heard. It was an experience they would remember forever.

And then it was over. The students and their parents made their way to the exits and across the campus to the next event, Senior Banquet.

As I watched them leaving the auditorium, they seemed different. They were standing straight. They were laughing a laugh of satisfaction. They seemed more confident. And yes, they seemed older and wiser than when we first met in January.

It was obvious to me that each student knew something inside of them had changed. They had their moment. A moment that was not meant to be, but a moment they worked for…a moment their teachers dreamed about…a moment that would be etched in their minds and hearts for the rest of their lives.

In a very real way this was a gold medal moment for 22 students and three consultants who were ready and anxious to tell the world what they learned about the very special time in 1980, when the world stood still in admiration and respect for that accomplishment of 20 students in red white and blue uniforms and a determined coach who was very demanding…very difficult to play for…and very much a dreamer.

As I turned off the lights my heart was filled with gratitude and joy. It was a special feeling that embraced and energized my soul. It was a therapeutic feeling of accomplishment. It was a very peaceful feeling of fulfillment. It was one of the best feelings I have ever had as a teacher. It was the last class I would ever teach, and I was more at peace with myself than I had ever been.

In that moment I experienced a kind of freedom and empowerment I had never felt before, and I doubt I will ever feel again. I ended a 40 year teaching career with my daughter, my wife, 22 students and three consultants who experienced a kind of success that words will never be able to accurately describe. It was a moment of sheer beauty.

And all I wanted to say was thank you Coach Brooks and the members of The 1980 US Olympic Hockey Team. You gave us our moment. You made our dream come true. You made us proud to be students, teachers, consultants and parents. You made us proud to be Americans.

by: Ryan Doyle

It was about 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 9. I was sitting on the bench in front of Holy Cross Hall, talking to my friend Claire when I saw a dark green van pull around the circle. Slowly the passenger window rolled down and I heard, “Let’s go fellows… No time to waste. We’ve got to make Cheshire, Connecticut by noon.” Mike Marzen was standing on the sidewalk and Doc came around the van to open the sliding door for him. “The one thing I ask when I go on location is no hats. So loose the hat Mike,” Doc said. Mike took off his Yankee hat, and I sat down in the passenger seat. So there we were about to set off on an adventure that would take us to Cheshire, Connecticut and the Marvel home.

I was filled with anxiety and nervous excitement as I sat shotgun on my first, real location shoot.

Doc was anxious and insistent that we get on the road immediately. Right away he gave us pointers on traveling, “Don’t depend exclusively on Map Quest, they’ll send you the long way,” he said. In the same breath he delegated our jobs, “Mr. Doyle, you are our scribe for the day. I want you to take copious notes on everything we do today, so that you can write about it when we get back. Mike, you are going to be our navigator, because I’m known for getting lost on the way to a shoot,” as he handed Mike the map.

After all the preliminary work like checking the equipment and directions, the individual tasks were done, so we began what was going to be a “Marvel-ous” day.

Doc met Julie and James Marvel, mother and son, at the Olympic Museum in Lake Placid, N.Y., earlier in January. Unknown to him at the time, the topic was close to their hearts since Julie is a graduate of the University of Minnesota where Olympic coach Herb Brooks coached. James wants to become an Olympic hockey player. It was all quite ironic! To make it even more interesting John Marvel, the father, is a senior executive for ESPN in charge of maintaining their website. It was a simple twist of fate that Julie and James were in Lake Placid for a hockey tournament and they were visiting the museum in between his games when Doc literally bumped into them.

So there we were about to get onto the interstate. Doc was talking about this wonderful occasion. Mike was checking out his map, and I was battling butterflies that filled my stomach. I kept saying to myself, “Just remember this is a learning experience.”

As we drove, Doc began to relax and the mood in the van lightened.

“I’ve never been on a real shoot before, so I’m excited,” I said with a little nervousness left in my voice. “Well, that’s good Ryan, this should be a good experience for you,” Doc replied. He reminded us that, we had to be professional at all times during the shoot.

“Oh I’m ready,” Mike said playfully with his head in the map looking over our route. This wasn’t Mike’s first time on a shoot, so he was more at ease than I was.

For the next two hours we discussed any and everything that there is to talk about, family, sports, consumerism and bottom line economics, and Doc’s trip to Ireland with his wife Kitch. Mike talked about his intention to travel and see Europe. His dream job would be to someday work for National Geographic, traveling to exotic and remote places snapping pictures of everything to inspire people. He is an avid Yankees fan and had been most of his life. His knowledge of the Yankees organization was staggering to me and his disgust with the continuing turmoil over steroids lead to an interesting discussion.

After retiring from decades of teaching, Doc hopes to focus more attention on his television series, “Windsor Park Stories.” He glows when he talks about helping people who are not celebrities tell their stories of triumph and inspiration. He believes strongly in what he does and hopes that people who watch the shows will be encouraged and learn things that will help them improve the quality of their lives. He wants to spend more time working in his garden, spending quality time with his wife, Kitch. His face lights up when he talks about spending more time with his granddaughter. He also plans on writing a book about all his experiences. Boy, retirement sounds nice!

The most interesting subject relating to our project was the idea of team chemistry and how everything in sports today is about the mega million dollar superstars. To illustrate this we used the Yankees organization, with help from Mike’s extensive knowledge. We reflected on how in the 2000-2001 seasons the Yankees were the greatest team in baseball. They were unstoppable during the regular season and excelled during the playoffs. The best weapon for the team wasn’t Bernie Williams or Derek Jeter, it was their team chemistry. Each player complimented the other, in hunger, in talent and in overall respect for their teammates. But in the following years, the owners began to release players that didn’t measure up with the best. They paid top dollar to get the very best in baseball. Today, the Yankees are more of an all-star team than the dynamic team of old. “That’s the reason why they were unable to win the World Series this year,” Mike said with good reason.

In so many ways this was what Herb Brooks worked hard to change. He knew that to beat the Soviets, he needed a team not a group of all-stars. As he once said, “I’m not looking for the best players. I’m looking for the right players.” In the years before the 1980 Winter Olympics, the US hockey team continually lost, even though they were the best of the best on the ice in the USA. Brooks knew that they needed to alter the way they played the game. They needed to out skate, out maneuver and out play the Soviets. To do this he needed players with ability and passion, not big egos. So he recruited the best college kids in the country for his team. He worked them harder than they had ever been worked. He said he wasn’t there to make friends; he was there to build a team that could compete with the Soviets in the third period. In the end team chemistry was essential to victory.

It was a great conversation and before we knew it. Things were going very smoothly. We were on schedule, and it was time for a snack. I think we were all starving from the intense conversation so the idea of food sounded good to me. We whipped out the sandwiches and chowed down. Kitch sure makes a good ham and cheese sandwich! For the first time during the ride, the van was silent. Well, almost, we were all chomping pretty loudly, but it was the first time no one was talking.

After a few uneasy moments, trying to find the right exit in a mile of road work, we finally saw the sign for Cheshire. We got off the exit and turned onto a four lane road divided by two double yellow lines. This is where my butterflies reappeared. As we were approaching the first traffic light Doc mumbled to himself, then looked at us and said, “Oh I have to do this. Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing.” Before we could react, Doc swings the wheel to the left, gets to the curb on the other side of the road and proceeds to reverse. Now, we are parallel across two lanes of oncoming traffic and I’m sitting in the passenger seat, watching the light turn green with a silver Volvo coming straight at us. I knew we were in no immediate danger, but in situations like this my family has a saying, “It’s time to tie your shoe.” In other words duck out of sight. Unprepared Mike and I sat wondering what Doc had in mind when he said “trust me.” The unorthodox u-turn was then compounded when suddenly, the wheel turned again into the opposite lane. This time we only had one lane to maneuver. I looked back at Mike with a smile and we all started to laugh as Doc finished his second u-turn. The strategic automotive maneuvering, as we called it was done so Doc could get a picture of the Welcome to Cheshire established in 1780 sign. After the deed was done we all had a good laugh. From then on Mike and I looked hard for possible shots that would be useful, so we could avoid any more u-turns.

Driving down the back roads to get to the Marvel’s house we stopped to take some more pictures. We saw two full football fields of greenhouses, an old windmill, a policeman and some old New England style houses.

We reached the Marvel’s house about an hour before schedule. Doc pulled the car to the side of the road, and he called Julie to get her OK for our early arrival. She was receptive.

When we arrived, she was very gracious, inviting us in and even complimenting us as we took off our shoes entering her house. She offered us food and drinks and for the next hour we sat at her kitchen table discussing the project, her involvement and her career.

It was so interesting listening to her career path story. After attending the University of Minnesota for two years and then graduating from Arizona State, she spent time preparing for the LPGA Tour. Unfortunately, she missed the qualifying score by two points, so she spent some time on a mini-tour. Unhappy with her situation, she moved back to Minnesota and took a teaching job at a high school where she also coached the girl’s volleyball and both boys and girls golf teams. After two years in Minnesota teaching she wanted to go to graduate school and focus her career in the communication and public relations field. In graduate school at the University of Southern California, she had many internships ranging from teaching assistant at the university’s School of Journalism to working in press operations for the 1984 Olympics. All of her internships were unpaid but she was quick to point out they helped her to see the career path she wanted.

After she received her M.A. degree, she looked for a job with all the sports teams in the Los Angeles area, but found her niche with a public relations firm. From there her career began to take off. She was offered a job as Assistant Public Relations Director for the LPGA which she declined at first but accepted a year later. Within a year she was promoted to Director and she stayed until the LPGA moved its headquarters. During this time, she met her husband, John, at a tournament in Phoenix. Unwilling to relocate with the LPGA, she was offered her “dream job” as communications director for the Golden State Warriors basketball team.

Today, she still works in communications as a special events consultant, organizing and developing communications and marketing plans for clients. Listening to her journey was a real eye-opener! As we talked more about the project her excitement for what we are trying to do was apparent. She was willing to help in anyway she could, she even offered to help me with my career plans. She showed us the rest of her house which was amazing. The basement was complete with a home theater center and all of her Golden State Warriors memorabilia on the walls.

Then she showed us her office where she spent most of her time. After that we climbed the stairs to visit James’s bedroom. It was filled with hockey pictures, figurines and even a photo that captured the final moments of the 1980 US Hockey victory with each of their signatures. No small feat in acquiring them I’m thought to myself.