Jim Craig
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Sport:
Ice Hockey |
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Year
Graduated: 1979 |
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Year
Inducted: 1989 |
He was an All-American, a key member of an NCAA Championship
team, and, finally, an Olympic hero. Yes, Jim Craig's sparkling
achievements brought pride to the University and the nation,
his inspirational play a lasting memory from a golden age
of U.S. amateur hockey.
A native of North Easton, MA, and a graduate of Oliver Ames
High School, Craig enrolled at Boston University in 1976 after
attending Massassoit Community College. For the next three
seasons, he started in goal for the Terrier hockey team where
he rolled up an impressive 55-10-3 record and helped to win
the program's third national championship in eight seasons.
In his first season, Craig finished 20-5-1, sported a 4.14
goals against average and had an .864 save percentage.
He followed with a perfect 1977-78 campaign, going 16-0-0
in his starting assignments and carrying a 3.72 goals against
average. After sharing netminding duties with Brian Durocher
through most of the season, Craig earned the starting nod
in the ECAC and NCAA playoffs. He turned aside 20 shots in
the Terriers 5-2 NCAA semifinal victory over Wisconsin, then
kicked out 34 Boston College attempts in a 5-3 championship
game decision over the Eagles that firmly established Boston
University as the college hockey power of the decade.
As a senior, Craig earned First Team All-America and All-East
accolades after finishing 14-5-2 with a 3.42 goals against
average and an outstanding .896 save percentage. He opened
the year by winning his first six decisions, including a 39-save
effort in a 3-1 win over RPI, to run his unbeaten streak to
22 games. His year was also highlighted by being in net for
victories over Harvard and Boston College as the Terriers
captured the 1979 Beanpot title.
Even greater acclaim came the following year when Craig joined
former teammates Jack O'Callahan, David Silke and Mike Eruzione
on the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team. Remembered now as the
"Miracle on Ice," Craig's play helped the Americans
defeat heavily-favored Czechoslovakia, Soviet Union, and Finland
to win the gold medal and hearts of sports fans all across
the nation.
Jim Craig was honored for all the memories and all the dreams
he helped make come true. In 1989, he joined the most distinguished
athletes in Boston University history by becoming a member
of the Hall of Fame.
