What a week! An Olympic closing of epic performances from skaters, skiers, hockey players, men and women. One week ago today, the US Women were gearing up for their final game in the tournament and the Men’s Hockey Team was hoping for that opportunity. We or at least, I, was still reeling from Alysa Liu’s final performance that won her the gold medal in women’s figure skating to Donna Summer’s very memorable, MacArthur Park. Alysa’s performance NAIL every compulsory exercise needed to master a gold medal performance and her artistic touches from her costume to additional slides and turns were the ‘icing on the cake’-think of the MacArthur Park lyrics. In the news was also the talk leading up to the 2026 State of the Union and rumblings of the negotiations going on in Geneva involving the brewing state of Iran. Looking back over the last week, there were a few historic things that happened that look similar to events just under fifty years ago. Wow…
On the Olympics. On Saturday, the TEAM USA Women’s Hockey Team clenched the victory for the Gold Medal. This is the third time the gals have won a gold medal (1998, 2018 & 2026). In addition, they have won 4 silver medals and 1 bronze. Not bad for a sport that is not considered very popular for women in the US. For our neighbors to the north, Canada, that’s a different story. The beginning of women’s hockey in the US dates back to the 1890s at Mount Holyoke College. There was also minimal play in Philadelphia and Alaska following the turn of the century. In the 1920s there was some resurgence and then it wasn’t until the 1960s when what we would recognize as modern women’s hockey saw the wheels begin to turn, at schools like Brown, the Pembroke Pandas in 1966. Women played at the world class level in the 1990s and in 1998, the US Women’s Olympic Team won the first Gold Medal for the sport in Nagano, Japan. The sport also started in the 1890s in Canada, but it didn’t loose the momentum that it did in the US, prior to the 1960s. Originating in Ottawa, Canada the sport spread both east and west, making it’s way to Vancouver. This consistent moment may be why the Canadian Women’s Team has won 5 Gold Medals overall to date…
On Sunday morning EST the Men’s Hockey Finals were played. The US team beat Slovakia on Friday night to earn the team a spot in the Gold Medal game against TEAM CANADA. Talk about rivalries!!! It’s as big if not bigger than the University of Michigan vs Ohio State University rivalry or any other big national rivalry you might think of, when it comes to hockey. If you live in a bordering state, like Minnesota, Michigan or New York, you play the Canadians regularly so these guys actually grow up playing with their international opponents. This game was a big rivalry much like the 1980s Friday night game when TEAM USA played the Soviets. That win for the US was one the of monumental wins when you look at back then, the US sent college/amateur players while the Soviets and many communist countries, sent their Pros. Many of my generation and prior, would tell you that the 1980 game to MAKE it to the finals was one of those sporting events you remember from a life time, “The Miracle On Ice.”
Anyway, the Sunday morning game didn’t disappoint. Bars in the US opened early to accommodate fans. It was 46 years ago, to the date, of the 1980 Lake Placid final game when the US Men’s Hockey Team took on Finland for the final match up. Sunday’s game went in to overtime and by now, you all know that Jack Hughes-young girls newest heart throb-the younger of the two Hughes brothers on the team, scored the winning goal minus a tooth and a half. Earlier this week, in the Teaching Tuesday post, I recount how the team payed tribute to “Johnny Hockey”, Johnny Gaudreau who died before making the team, by bringing two of his children on to the ice for team photo. The medal ceremony was memorable, seeing the team’s families in the stands hugging and crying. The following scene we all had the opportunity to join in on, was the locker room including an appearance by the FBI Director, who was at the games and met with heads of security, valuable since the US will soon be hosting the Olympics in L.A. soon. A friend of some of the players, Kash Patel, was seen and taped singing, drinking (beer) and celebrating with the jubilant players, staff and coaches. We all saw it happen and then the President called in on this monumental win, much like the win in 1980, this time against our biggest rival and neighbor, Canada, and much like President Carter called in to the the TEAM in Lake Placid when the American won for only the second time in Olympic history, following the 1960 win in Squaw Valley California. In the President’s conversation, he mentioned that he’d like to invite the Team to the White House and also extended the invitation to the State of the Union Address on Tuesday evening, following a visit on Tuesday during the day. They Guys agreed and then the President made a comment that sent some into ORBIT, “You know, I need to invite the women,” and they guys laughed. As a woman, I took absolutely NO offense at the time and still don’t. The whole men and women’s rivalry in sports goes back to the Billy Jean King and Bobby Riggs rivalry, maybe even before that, that’s the first male/female sports rivalry I recall. Sometimes we laugh at one another or with one another. We sometimes laugh at guys not being good at certain things that women are known for or vice versa. Humor and laughing is good for us. To hold these young men in a lower regard because they laughed at something that was meant most likely NOT to offend, is laughable itself. I am not in the President’s head but I took it as, ‘I know this is a historic win and big win for you all in so many ways, but the women won the gold too and they deserve a chance to come.’ Saturday was the Women’s victory and their day, Sunday was the Men’s game and day. Why not let them, their families and fans enjoy it?!! I even felt part of it. I felt like those guys were my neighbors, students or nephews!! (Unfortunately, I did not watch the women’s game, my loss)
Tuesday, the guys flew to Miami, rather than NJ as they had anticipated, due to the snow storm. After celebrating on South Beach in bars where the National Anthem was played, drinks were flowing, some paid for by Sports Personality Pat McAfee, fans and patrons celebrated, it was all fun to see. The team flew up to DC for their trip to the White House and later that night, most of the team made an appearance at the Capitol for the State of the Union Address as the President was speaking about monumental accomplishments in our country. He even gave the goalie, Connor Hellebuyck for his 41 saves during the Gold Medal game on Sunday. The handful of players unable to attend could have skipped it for a variety of reasons from contract obligations to their professional teams, to wanting to visit family or possibly political but we don’t know and it isn’t our business. They have a right to spend their time as they wish, there was no obligations for them to attend. For me, it was one of many highlights of the evening. The guys left the event to all go their separate ways to their colleges, homes or professional teams. The President announced that the Women’s Hockey Team will visit the White House too at a later time.
The rest of the evening was a showcase of American’s State of the Union from highlights to tributes honoring Americans who have experienced loss, suffering or greatness. The President and his team found selected citizens who experienced the loss of children to illegal immigrants, criminals, or military personnel celebrating centennial birthdays, who survived bullets from a terrorist or a helicopter pilot who continued his mission, returning his comrades safely even though his leg and hip experienced numerous bullets from ground fire. This young man walked into the chamber with a walker, noticeably uncomfortable. Many of these tributes and accomplishments brought most but not all of the audience to their feet. Some criticized those invited from the hockey team and others as ‘pawns’ of the President. I though far from it. These individuals could have declined the invite. They did each put a face on the successes of this great country and a face on the policies and consequences was my feeling …
Scary scenes from the uprising, hostage taking and the Shah and his wife departing Iran.
Interestingly, at the same time the US was celebrating their second Gold Medal for the Men’s Hockey Team, back in 1980, the US was dealing with Iran. It was in early November, 1979 that the US Embassy was taken over by “Iranian students” and 52 American diplomats and citizens were taken hostage. Iran experienced a take over by Islamic clerics who felt that the Shah was Westernizing the country more than they wished. The country was in flux. It was a time of unrest in Iran. The hostages were held for 444 days. It was not until Ronald Reagan was sworn in on his Inauguration Day that the hostages were released. The US has been dealing with this toxic regime since then. Other Presidents have tried their own means of dealing with them without success. Sadly, it is the Iranian people who have suffered all of these years. If you do some reading or look back at photos of Iran and it’s people prior to the take over, Iran/Persia was a country of such modernization. Women had opportunities for education and advancement. Iran was a country of history and culture.The Islamic regime changed all of that. The people of Iran have indured so much since then. Those hoping for a change have experienced the iron fist of their leaders with tens of thousands paying the price with their own lives. Of course, we hope for a peaceful solution, but with so much at stake, so much build up, is it just a matter of time before military action is required to root out the rats? I guess we’ll see…
What a week and it’s NOT over yet. I’m still enjoying the historic Gold Medal victory of the Men’s Hockey Team and all the stories that go along with it. I’ve made a playlist of music on Spotify. These families and fans deserve to enjoy every last bit of it all.
All of these women are role models for young women and Moms around the country.
And to the Women’s Team, Hats Off To You Gals! You enjoy every bit of fan fair too!! You are an example to all of the little girls in this country that playing a tough sport with sticks and blades is something a girl can do too. We may see an increase of young girls playing ice hockey and this team of women are responsible for that. Look at Ellen Weinberg-Hughes. Not only did SHE play Women’s Ice Hockey, she played on the 1992 World Championship All Star Team. This was before Women’s Ice Hockey was an Olympic Sport, she helped coach the Women’s Team to that Gold Medal performance, herself winning a medal for coaching. Ellen also raised three fine young men, who all made it to the National Hockey League and two making the Olympic Gold Medal Team. Ellen is a role model to young girls and Mom’s across the country…
Lots to think about and lots to enjoy this weekend, this last weekend of February…It’s a Great Day ❤️
