Squaw Valley, 1960. An underdog American team stuns the hockey world by defeating the great ice powers - Canada, Russia, Czechoslovakia, and Sweden - to capture this country's only first place finish in Olympic hockey competition. According to Coach Jack Riley, the team's success was predicated on condition, dedication, and team effort.

From preliminary training camps in Minneapolis, MN and Boston, MA 22 players were selected to report to the final camp at West Point, NY by December 27, 1959. Under Riley's tutelage the squad was pared to 17 players and departed January 15th on an 18-game exhibition tour. Goalie Jack McCartan and Dick Rodenhiser reported in early January to West Point. Just before the deadline to complete all rosters three more players were named, former Minnesota stars John Mayasich and Harvard's Bill and Bob Cleary. All three are enshrinees of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame. The changes proved critical to Riley's squad as they swept undefeated through the preliminary and championship rounds to the gold medal victory.

After scoring victories over Sweden (6-3) and Germany (9-1), the U.S. surprised the hockey world by beating Canada (2-1). Spectacular goal tending by Jack McCartan and goals by Bob Cleary, and Paul Johnson led to the huge victory. Two days later the Russians went down to defeat against the Americans for the first time in hockey history (3-2). With 10,000 fans jamming Blyth Arena and a national television audience a goal by Bill Cleary and the tying and winning goals by Billy Christian with passes from Roger Christian and Tom Williams led to a wild celebration.

The following morning at 8 o'clock the U.S. team played the Gold Medal game against Czechoslovakia. Losing 4-3 going into the third period, the U.S. scored six goals in the final nine minutes to win 9-4. Roger Christian scored four goals, three in the third period. Bob Cleary scored two goals, including the winner, and Bill Cleary closed out the scoring in an unbelievable display of offensive hockey. Sound defensive play throughout the tournament, led by MVP goalie Jack McCartan and the four defensemen, Captain Jack Kirrane, John Mayasich, Bob Owens, Rob Paavola played a major role in the success of the team. The U.S. team outscored the opposition in the third period in all games by a score of 19-4.

Jack Riley was an outstanding hockey player at Dartmouth College whose career was interrupted by WW II while he was playing as a sophomore in 1941-1942 and returned to college in 1946-47 to captain the team that tied University of Toronto for the North American Championship.

From 1942-1946 he served as a US Navel Aviator serving in the Pacific Theatre. In 1948, he was a member of the U.S. Olympic Hockey Team at St. Moritz, Switzerland. In 1949 he was a player-coach of the US National Team in Stockholm, Sweden. The US was the only team to defeat the world champions, Czechoslovakia (2-0). Riley scored both goals.

He served as the head hockey coach at the US Military Academy, West Point, NY from 1950-1986 and was also the assistant athletic director. He has been twice named NCAA Coach of the Year. Riley was inducted into the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame in 1998. He received the Lester Patrick Award in 1986-2002.