
Herb Brooks, the 1980 United States Olympic Hockey head coach, said, “Great moments are born from great opportunities. And that's what you have here, tonight, boys. That's what you've earned here tonight” (Brooks). This pregame speech, which was wildly praised by pundits and critics alike, helped rally the 1980 U.S. hockey team to a near impossible win over the heavily favored USSR (Union of Socialist Republics) team. This victory was not just a triumph in hockey, but also a very important win for the entire United States of America. During the 1980 Winter Olympics, the United States and the USSR were rivals both on the ice and on the battle field overseas. With conflicts between these two countries in the Cold War, this victory meant far more than just a hockey victory to the citizens of the United States. The United States team was led by their goalie, Jim Craig, as he played brilliant the entire tournament. This picture accurately describes the feeling of achievement through hard work and determination and the overall theme of the American Dream.  

With the Cold War, nuclear battles, and a financial crisis all taking place in 1980, the United States was going through a lot of tough times as the 1980 Olympics came around. The Cold War lasted from about 1979-1985 and was a post-World War II battle between the United States and their allies and the Eastern Bloc (Soviet Union and its satellite states). While a war was taking place overseas and crisis was tearing apart the United States, the citizens resourced to their hockey team, as a rallying cry, a symbol of hope, and overall the American Dream. The American Dream is the idea that every citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success through hard work, strength of character, and ingenuity. In a time of struggle for U.S. citizens, the United States hockey team provided an example to recognize the American Dream. A time to look at this hockey team as gallant role models rather than just hockey players, and examples of how to achieve success in times of struggle against all odds.

As the tournament approached, not many Americans nor many other people believed in the U.S. team as the Soviet Russia team consisted of countless prestigious professionals and high profile international icons. On the contrary, the United States team was full of collegiate athletes and amateur players. This USSR team had won six of the last seven Olympic Gold Medals coming into the 1980 Winter Olympics, and respectively were profoundly favored to win again. Furthermore, hockey analysts during the time projected the United States team to finish seventh in the Olympics, giving them virtually no shot in competing for a gold medal. However, the United States had one advantage, as the winter games were held in Lake Placid, New York which gave them a “home field advantage,” yet their biggest advantage was the aforementioned goalie, Jim Craig. 

Jim Craig, like most of the country, also was experiencing harsh times and experiences and was viewed as more of a United States icon than just the goalie. His courage to overcome all obstacles showed to the United States that with determination and hard work that anything is possible. His main motivation to compete in the Olympics was for his mother, Margaret, who had passed away two years before from lung cancer. Although Jim Craig could have signed a contract to play professionally, he wanted to keep his amateur status and play for his country to make his mother proud. Although Jim Craig was a notable collegiate goalie, historians predicted he had little to no chance to represent the United States of America as the starting goalie. After an impressive try out, Herb Brooks made the best decision by believing in Craig and gave him an opportunity to be a part of the team. Jim Craig would go on to be one of the most impressive and influential competitors in the history of the Olympic games. The overall reason that I chose to elaborate on this picture is because it is both a very inspirational picture as he showed a light at the end of the tunnel for those in times of struggle through characteristics like hard work and ambition.

Jim Craig is recognized for his outstanding performance during the 1980 Olympics, but many people overlook his uncountable hours of intense workouts off the camera. Muhammad Ali, a dominant boxer, once said, “Suffer now and live the rest of your life a champion” (Ali). This remark precisely expresses Jim Craig’s determination to compete at his maximum potential. In the photograph of Jim Craig, sweat drips down his face and hair as he gazes into the crowd. The texture and brightness of his face represents his hard work. The texture seems to be slippery to touch as sweat down pours after a hard fought, exhausting battle. These endless drops of sweat symbolize the blood, sweat, and tears that Jim Craig went through to become a fearless competitor. Jim Craig brought motivation to many citizens pursuing the American Dream. Citizens of the United States looked at Jim Craig as an exemplar. He brought attention towards that making it out of the struggle will not be easy, and will only come after countless hours of hard work. He was a prime example that nothing in life comes easy, and displayed the overall message that working hard will bring ultimate success. 

While one example to escape the ongoing struggle in the United States was hard work, another attribute to rally the country together was patriotism. In difficult times, Jim Craig provided the country with hope and desire. With million to one odds against the United States in the semi-final game against the USSR, Jim Craig, played an extraordinary game. He blocked 36 of the 39 shots he faced, and ultimately was the savior for the United States team. In the picture, one element that invokes the viewer is the patriotic colors of red, white, and blue. An obvious depiction of these colors is through the American Flag that is wrapped around his waist. The American flag symbolizes that Jim Craig, and the rest of the team, were playing for their country. This image epitomizes selflessness and care for his country. Jim Craig made a selfless decision and decided to represent and compete for his country. This patriotic choice gained the respect of countless United States citizens. This helped the country come to a realization that even with the chaos and struggles that the United States was dealing with, that each individual should unionize and become one prevailing nation.

   In summation, Jim Craig is a prime example of one that effectively displays the theme of the American Dream. He was a very influential image because of his desire to never give up, but instead excel against all odds. In sports history, the “Miracle on Ice” game between United States and USSR is regarded as one of the most shocking upsets. This triumph unionized the country as a whole, and brought everyone together during dull circumstances. After Jim Craig’s successful career, he wisely said, “Don’t ever let your memories be bigger than your dreams” (Craig). He never felt satisfied or complacent with his skills, instead continued to work as hard as possible until he reached his maximum potential. Jim Craig made many indescribable memories and accomplished the unthinkable over his career, but it was his dreams that made him into such a successful man. He, like many American citizens, fantasized of achieving unimaginable goals. However, he worked extremely hard to accomplish these goals and because of this is a perfect example of the American Dream. 
