Immigration Law

HUGH MCCUTCHEON - US MEN'S OLYMPIC VOLLEYBALL COACH

By Greg Siskind

The final medal for the US was one of the sweetest and most emotional for Team USA. Our men's team beat a legendary Brazilian team and produced the first gold medal for the US in 20 years. The match was tight and some of the volleys were absolutely amazing. Hopefully, some of you saw the coverage just before the Closing Ceremonies this evening.

The medal was especially poignant for New Zealand-born US coach Hugh McCutcheon not just because it capped years of hard work but also because the Olympic Games began in unspeakable tragedy for his family. You may have heard about the knife attack at the beginning of the Games where a deranged man killed Coach McCutcheon's father-in-law. The fact that the US team and it's coach were able to focus and win in the end says a lot about the character of these athletes. Can you imagine the coach having to make the excruciatingly tough decision between being with his family and not letting his team down.

Congratulations on your well-earned medal. And peace be with you in the difficult days ahead for your family.

This is the last of my Immigrant of the Day Olympics posts. I hope you have enjoyed reading about about our immigrant athletes and coaches as much as I've enjoyed writing about them.

Full post as published by Greg Siskind's Blog on August 25, 2008 (boomark / email).