WASHINGTON, D.C. Dec 12, 2025 – President Donald J. Trump welcomed surviving members of the legendary 1980 U.S. Olympic men’s ice hockey team to the Oval Office on Friday, signing bipartisan legislation awarding the squad Congressional Gold Medals in recognition of their historic “Miracle on Ice” victory 45 years ago.
The team, clad in white cowboy hats reminiscent of those worn during the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics opening ceremony, stood behind the president as he signed the bill. Captain Mike Eruzione presented Trump with a replica cowboy hat, which the president briefly donned amid applause.
“This was one of the biggest moments that I’ve ever seen in sports, and I like sports,” Trump remarked during the ceremony. “These are the men who gave us one of the most storied athletic wins of all time—it’s called the Miracle on Ice, and I guess that’s what it was.”
The 1980 team, composed largely of amateur and college players, achieved one of the greatest upsets in sports history by defeating the heavily favored Soviet Union 4-3 in the medal round—a moment immortalized by broadcaster Al Michaels’ iconic call: “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!” The Americans went on to defeat Finland for the gold medal, revitalizing national pride during the Cold War era amid economic challenges and geopolitical tensions.
Attendees included key figures such as Eruzione, goaltender Jim Craig, forward Buzz Schneider, and other players, along with family representatives of the late coach Herb Brooks. The legislation, passed by Congress in September, authorizes three Congressional Gold Medals to be struck: one each for display at the Lake Placid Olympic Center in New York, the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in Minnesota, and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum in Colorado.
White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers described the event as a tribute to “American greatness and patriotism,” noting the victory’s role in inspiring generations and transforming hockey in the United States.
The ceremony comes just months ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, underscoring the enduring legacy of the 1980 triumph.
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