About This Episode
Many will never forget Mike’s game-winning goal in the “Miracle on Ice” game to defeat the USSR, but Mike was also the Captain of the iconic team that brought home a Gold Medal in Lake Placid in the 1980 Olympics. He shares memories of that team, what it was like playing for Coach Brooks and how his grandkids skate at the Mike Eruzione Center in his hometown of Winthrop, MA…and don’t even know who that is – because he’s “Papa” to them.
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About Our Guest
Mike Eruzione, one of the most recognizable names in Olympic history, serves as the director of special outreach at his alma mater, Boston University. In this role, Eruzione travels the country to meet with alumni and donors, host University events and solicit leadership support for Terrier Athletics.
Eruzione captained the 1980 United States Olympic Hockey Team to its Gold Medal victory in Lake Placid, N.Y. His goal against the Soviet Union to clinch the “Miracle on Ice” victory is one of the most iconic sports moments of all time. ESPN’s SportsCenter officially recognized it in 2008 as the No. 1 greatest sports highlight, and Sports Illustrated has named it the No. 1 sports moment of the 20th century.
His game-winning goal advanced the team to the Gold Medal Game, in which the U.S. defeated Finland. Since the 1980 Winter Olympics, Eruzione and his teammates have received numerous honors, including being inducted into the United States Olympic Hall of Fame and being featured in the hit Disney movie, “Miracle.”
Eruzione graduated from BU’s School of Education in 1977. While attending Boston University, he captained the men’s ice hockey team his senior year and finished his college career as the third-leading scorer in Terrier history. During his tenure, BU won four ECAC titles.
After his playing days, Eruzione was an assistant coach with the men’s ice hockey program, working under his college coach, Jack Parker, during the Terriers’ 1995 national championship season.
A powerful motivational speaker, Eruzione is actively involved with fundraising events for the Olympic Committee as well as numerous charitable and youth organizations. He was inducted into the Boston University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1983.
He resides in his hometown of Winthrop with his wife and their three children.
-goterriers.com