Forty-five years after one of the most storied upsets in sports history, the spirit of 1980 was alive and well in the Oval Office on December 12, 2025. President Donald Trump welcomed members of the legendary U.S. men’s ice hockey team—heroes of the “Miracle on Ice”—to the White House for a ceremony that was as much about nostalgia as it was about national pride. The occasion? The signing of legislation officially awarding congressional gold medals to the team that stunned the world by toppling the Soviet Union and capturing Olympic gold in Lake Placid.
“This team united us, and they inspired us,” President Trump declared, echoing the sentiments of millions who witnessed the improbable 4-3 victory over a Soviet squad considered unbeatable at the time. “The United States was, like, brought to a level of sports that they've never seen.” The president, a self-proclaimed sports enthusiast, didn’t hide his admiration, calling the team “true legends of American sports history” and “heroes for the entire nation.”
The ceremony, held just weeks ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy and with the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles on the horizon, was a reminder of how a single game can transcend the boundaries of sport. The 1980 U.S. team, a roster largely composed of college players, was coached by the late Herb Brooks and captained by Mike Eruzione. Their journey to Olympic gold began with the now-mythic semifinal clash against the Soviet Union—a team seeking its fifth consecutive gold medal and widely regarded as the world’s best.
On that fateful February day in Lake Placid, the Americans fell behind early but clawed back, thanks in part to a blistering 50-foot slap shot by Buzz Schneider that tied the game 1-1 in the first period. “How the hell did that happen? I thought they had a good goalie,” Trump joked to Schneider during the White House event, drawing laughter from the assembled players and their families. “It just happened right? Miracle. They say it’s a miracle. Thank you.”
It was Mike Eruzione who would ultimately score the game-winner, a goal immortalized by broadcaster Al Michaels’ unforgettable call: “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!” The Americans held on for a 4-3 victory, sending shockwaves through the world of hockey and igniting a sense of unity and patriotism across a nation grappling with Cold War anxieties, the Iran hostage crisis, and economic malaise. The gold medal, however, was not yet in hand. Two days later, the U.S. faced Finland in the final, where they completed their improbable run with another come-from-behind win to secure Olympic glory.
Friday’s ceremony was rich with symbolism and sentiment. Thirteen members of the gold medal-winning squad—including Eruzione, goaltender Jim Craig, and Schneider—gathered in the Oval Office, joined by the adult children of several players and Dan Brooks, son of the late coach. All donned white cowboy hats, replicas of the ones the team famously wore during the 1980 Opening Ceremonies. Eruzione presented President Trump with his own hat, which the president gamely wore for a few moments, much to the delight of those in attendance.
Eruzione spoke for the group, reflecting on the honor of representing the United States on the world stage. “I’ve said this before, when you put a USA jersey on, you’re playing for your country ... what an honor it was for us to put that jersey on and accomplish what we accomplished,” he said. “Winning an Olympic gold medal is something that’s incredible, but this is the frosting on the cake, to receive an award like this, an honor like this. Maybe this is it, guys. I don’t think there’s anything else we can get.”
The new law, passed by Congress as the “Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act,” marks the 45th anniversary of the team’s triumph. It calls for three gold medals to be minted: one will reside at the Lake Placid Olympic Center in New York, another at the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum in Eveleth, Minnesota, and a third at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This ensures that the legacy of the 1980 team will be preserved for generations to come.
Dan Brooks, representing his father Herb Brooks, spoke with emotion about the coach’s belief in the American player and the country itself. “He believed. He believed in the American hockey player. He believed in his country. He loved this game. He loved his country. I wish he was here but it’s an honor for me to represent him,” Brooks said, his words resonating with the legacy left by his father, who passed away in 2003.
The event was not without its lighter moments. Ken Morrow, a defenseman on the team, reminded Trump that the now-famous “USA! USA!” chant originated in Lake Placid, a chant that has since become a fixture at sporting events and even political rallies. “That’s right! I tried to take credit for that,” Trump quipped, drawing more laughter.
The significance of the “Miracle on Ice” has only grown with time. The upset not only ended the Soviet Union’s dominance in Olympic hockey but also injected a much-needed dose of optimism into the American psyche. The team’s induction into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1983 cemented their place in sports lore, but the congressional gold medal represents a rare and fitting tribute from the nation they inspired.
While the world has changed dramatically since 1980, the resonance of that victory endures. The ceremony came at a complex moment in U.S.-Russia relations, a reminder of how sports and geopolitics can intertwine. Yet, for a few hours in the Oval Office, the focus was squarely on the achievements of a group of young men who refused to believe in the impossible.
As the 2026 Winter Olympics approach and the 2028 Summer Games loom, the story of the “Miracle on Ice” continues to inspire athletes and fans alike. Friday’s celebration in Washington was more than just a look back—it was a reaffirmation of what’s possible when grit, teamwork, and belief come together on the world’s biggest stage. The medals may be new, but the legend lives on.
