Herb Brooks

Because of high school hockey accomplishments, Brooks was offered a scholarship to play hockey at the University of Michigan. Instead, he chose to stay in his home state and play college hockey at the University of Minnesota. At the time, he was known as the fastest skater in college hockey. Brooks graduated from there in 1959 (some sources say 1962) with a degree in psychology.

In 1960, Brooks tried out for the Olympic team. The 1960 Winter Games were being held in Squaw Valley, California. Brooks was the last player cut from the team. Team USA went on to defeat Russia, Canada, and Czechoslovakia in upset victories and take home a medal.