Herb Brooks and The 1980 U.S. Men’s Hockey Team

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Introduction Sometimes you just have to watch the movie. Some people were not even alive, some forget, some just do not know the story of the Olympic hockey glory experienced by everyone in the U.S. in 1980. You did not have to be a fan of hockey on that faithful day when the U.S.S.R. and the United States played that extraordinary game. One man’s vision and leadership brought one nation to its feet. Herb Brooks was the head coach of the 1980 U.S. men’s hockey team. In this brief report I will discuss the man, his visionary and ethical leadership, and his success. The Man It took a disciplined mind, strategic, and vision to pull a team with this composition, these ego’s, to put aside their self-interest and egocentric tendencies to play as one, play for a nation. The term miracle on ice is one that will forever be linked to Her Brooks’ legacy, the fabled 1980 U.S. Olympic team which won the gold medal at Lake Placid, NY. According to Coach Brook’s, the team was mentally tough and goal-oriented. They came from all different walks of life, many having competed against one another, but they came together and grew to be a real close team. He pushed this team really hard. But they had the ability to answer the bell. (Herb Brooks Foundation, N.d.) Here Coach refers to the team or they, as the team they came together for a common goal. For anyone who has watched the movie or read the book it was obvious that it was his leadership was the cause of the team coming together to play as one. He addresses the team in a positive light and himself as the catalyst. Herb Brooks was an incredible leader. He was a coach with a vision, a vision that led a group of college kids to beat Russia, considered one of the greatest sports momen... ... middle of paper ... ... milestone game in 1980, hockey in the United States has grown significantly at the professional and amateur levels. (USA Hockey, N.d.) Works Cited USAF. (2012, October 1). Air Force Noncommisioned Officer Academy Study Guide. Full Range Leadership Development. Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, Alabama, U.S.: USAF. Foundation, H. B. (N.d.). ABOUT COACH BROOKS. Retrieved May 5, 2014, from Herb Brooks Foundation: http://www.herbbrooksfoundation.com/page/show/701796-about-coach-brooks Hockey, U. (N.d.). THE 1980 U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM. Retrieved May 5, 2014, from USA Hockey: http://www.ushockeyhalloffame.com/page/show/831562-the-1980-u-s-olympic-team Prichard, S. (N.d.). 4 LEADERSHIP LESSONS FROM A COACH, A DREAM AND A MIRACLE. Retrieved May 5, 2014, from Skip Prichard Leadership Insights: http://www.skipprichard.com/4-leadership-lessons-from-a-coach-a-dream-and-a-miracle/

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