Olympic Hockey Gold Medalist Mike Eruzione Discusses His Book at Winthrop Event

Winthrop’s own Olympic hockey captain and gold medalist Mike Eruzione discussed  his book, The Making of a Miracle: The Untold Story of the Captain of the 1980 Gold Medal-Winning U.S. Olympic Hockey Team, at an event Tuesday at the E.B. Newton Cultural Center.

Eruzione delighted the audience with stories about his amazing life journey, from his days of growing up in Winthrop and playing three sports at Winthrop High School, through his ice hockey career at Boston University, and on to competing in the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid where he scored the game-winning goal in a 4-3 upset of the Soviet Union team. That game, “The Miracle on Ice,” was watched on ABC-TV tape delay that night by 34.2 million viewers. Two days later, Eruzione and Team USA, coached by Herb Brooks and assistant Craig Patrick, defeated Finland, 4-2, to win the gold medal.

The day after the gold medal game Eruzione and Team USA traveled to the White House in Washington, D.C., for a reception hosted by President Jimmy Carter.

Eruzione returned to Winthrop where he received a glorious hometown hero’s welcome from residents.

Sports Illustrated magazine selected Eruzione and Team USA’s accomplishment, “the greatest sports moment of the 20th century.”

Event Chair Mary Lou Osborne told Eruzione how excited she and her family were watching Eruzione and his teammates light the cauldron to start the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.

“My kids were so hyped for that. We were away for a ski weekend. Somehow some of the Winthrop teachers knew about it [in advance] and they said to the kids, ‘Your assignment for the weekend is to watch the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics, there’s going to be a special surprise.’’’

“And wow, was it ever a surprise,” Osborne said.

Eruzione reflected on his tremendous honor in Salt Lake City. “I’m backstage and my heart’s pounding. I’m waiting [for Picabo Street and Cammi Granato to hand him the torch] and all of a sudden Mark Johnson taps me on the shoulder and says, ‘Remember, four billion people are watching. Don’t drop the torch.’’’ “That [moment] was right up there with standing on the podium when we won,’’ said Eruzione.