Just before their first practice for the World University Games in Poland, they just sat and stared at each other in awe of what they were wearing.

They were rendered speechless and realized only a select handful of people can say they've garnered the Team U.S.A. red, white, and blue.

And this year it was their turn.

For Penn State hockey players Mike Blevins, Greg Held, Scott Curry and Josh Mandel, it was the break of a lifetime. It was an opportunity to adorn the same sweaters that were previously worn by the men who pulled off the "Miracle On Ice" victory over the Soviet Union during the 1980 Olympics.

"There's just a lot of pride knowing you're representing 270 million people," Curry, a Team U.S.A. assistant captain, said. "I don't even know if the scope of it has all set in yet. It was amazing.

"We knew we had a great opportunity and I feel very lucky and privileged to go there and not just for the hockey, but to experience another culture was great. It surpassed all my expectations."

Although Team U.S.A., which was comprised of select ACHA players, finished last in the eight-team tournament, Curry said the team accomplished what they set out to do.

"I think we actually met our goal and maybe even exceeded some people's expectations," Curry said. "You can't expect to win a tournament like that. You'd like to but we remained realistic.

"But the people that were involved (the U.S.A. Hockey Committee) were very happy with how we did. They wanted to see what we did off the ice as well.

"We represented our country with a lot of pride."

Team U.S.A. knew its chances of taking home a medal was near impossible because most of the participating teams consisted of players who play in European pro leagues. Anyone who is taking just one college-level course anywhere in the world was eligible for competition.

"I don't think any of us expected to win a medal," Blevins said. "We were the underdogs the whole tournament. We were the only players who were actual students. Almost all the other players were professionals from Europe."

Team U.S.A. was placed in a tough pool with the Ukraine — the defending tournament champions — Russia and The Czech Republic. While the Americans were dominated by the Czechs and Ukrainians, they did score a major upset by downing the Russians 4-2.

"The whole crowd was chanting 'USA, USA' and there might have only been 15 Americans there out of about 4,000 or 5,000 fans," Mandel said. "It was great at the end of the game because all four of us were on the ice together. It was like we won the Stanley Cup."

Team USA ultimately lost to Japan in the seventh place game of the tournament.

Held said he was taught a valuable lesson from facing off against the world's best.

"You learn that your work ethic can always be better," Held said. "You can always get better no matter if you play ACHA, NCAA or at the professional level. There wasn't a time their coaches backed off or let them slack off when they were winning."

But the team wasn't just there for the hockey. The sightseeing, interaction with foreign strangers and living life in another culture left lasting impressions on the four Icers.

Curry said the visit to the old Auschwitz concentration camp and the ancient city of Krakow really changed his perspective on life.

"Going to Auschwitz definitely gives you a different look at things," Curry said. "Everything was still there. They have a collection of three tons of human hair. But for me, the most disturbing thing was actually standing in one of the gas chambers that was still intact.

"It's just a shame what all those people had to go through. It's incredible how all that stuff is still there."

"Krakow is a gorgeous city. It's one of the few cities that wasn't destroyed in either world war. There was an old castle from around 1000, so that was another way to get immersed in the culture."

The Icers also learned an interesting way to meet new friends during their trip.

Since most of the athletes who congregated in Poland couldn't speak a common language, each participant was given team pins to exchange with competitors from other nations.

"It was a nice icebreaker," Mandel said. "I met some Korean people, and they didn't know any English but I brought the pins out and it was smiles all around. It was exciting and it helped you just associate with everyone."

Playing along side some of their fiercest ACHA rivals was another intriguing aspect of the two-week excursion.

"It was interesting playing with some people whose head I usually want to take off on the ice," Mandel said. "But everyone gelled together off the ice. I hope to hang out with them in Arizona (during the ACHA tournament) but it'll be all business on the ice."

While the four Icers admit their overseas experience was a once in a lifetime opportunity, they are happy to be home and ready for a run at a second consecutive ACHA title.

"It's tremendous to be home and just go to a restaurant and order something and people understand you," Mandel said. "It's a breath of fresh air to be home. Towards the last few days over there, I was definitely ready to come home."

If Penn State does win the title this year, Blevins, Held and captain Alon Eizenman would become the first Icers to ever win three national championships.

"That would mean a lot," Held said. "It's been one of my goals as an individual and a team since the beginning of the year. Being with some of the players and coaches we're going to play really fueled my fire."