I graduated UW in Dec. 1979, just before the 1980 Olympics. There were so many Badgers involved, including speed skaters Eric and Beth Heiden and many players and coach from the Miracle on Ice team, that after the games there was a celebration with all involved at the football stadium! Still have those pictures somewhere, along with the autographed Time magazine with the Heidens on the cover.
I consider Eric Heiden to be the greatest US Olympian, ever. Imagine someone who wins the 100 yard-dash, the 10,000 meters and the marathon....for all intents and purposes, that’s what Eric did in speedskating.