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1960 U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM THE ORIGINAL GOLDEN BOYS The Passage of Time And A Lack Of Attention Can't Tarnish The Achievements Of The 1960 U.S. Olympic Team BY B Through its hard-nosed and tenacious efforts, the 1960 U.S. Olympic Team was able to skate off with the first gold medal in USA Hockey history. MATT CARACAPPA hockey history. efore Mike Eruzione, Jim Craig, Mark Johnson and the "Miracle on Ice" 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team defeated the Soviet Union en route to Olympic gold, the Christian and Cleary brothers, Jack Riley, John Mayasich, Jack McCartan and the 1960 U.S. Olympic Team made More than 50 years ago, and 20 years before the Americans took gold in Lake Placid, N.Y., 17 players captured the United States' first- ever Olympic gold medal in ice hockey at the 1960 Olympic Winter Games in Squaw Valley, Calif. Heavy underdogs going into the tournament, the U.S. squad knocked off powerhouse countries Canada, the Soviet Union, Sweden and Czechoslovakia. They are still one of only two U.S. teams to defeat Canada and Sweden in the same Olympics. "The whole experience was indescribable," said Bob Cleary, who along with his brother, Bill, joined the team just prior to the February Games. "USA won it. It wasn't me, and it wasn't other individuals. It was a team effort for your country." Those individuals that comprised one of the best U.S. hockey teams in history weren't only some of the best American players of their generation, but of all time. Names like John Mayasich and Bill Cleary, members of USA Hockey's All-Time Team, would be household names if they played today. Mayasich starred at the University of Minnesota, tallying 144 goals and 298 points (both school all-time records) in 111 career games played. He won the Western Collegiate Hockey Association scoring title in 1954 and 1955, and was a three-time All-America selection. Bill Cleary, who led Team USA with seven goals and seven assists at the 1960 Olympic Winter Games, still holds Harvard University's single-season point record (89), which was set more than 50 years ago. 38 USA Hockey 75TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE PROGRAM PHOTOS BY USA HOCKEY