The team's victory inspired the 2006 movie Glory Road.

"Armies have won great victories inspired purely by fear," Pony said dryly.

Their victory last Sunday inspired Krapf to write a poem that had been kicking around in his head for months.

"Freedom's victory in that country will inspire democratic reformers from Damascus to Tehran," he said, "and spread hope across a troubled region."

The victory inspired a subsequent stage play, Alone it Stands.

Paradoxically, the runaway American victory in the conventional arms race might inspire a new round of proliferation of atomic weapons.

His legend quickly spread around the world, and his victories inspired other nations to fight against the Soviet Union.

A victory over Michigan could put the Lions in contention for a major bowl game and inspire visions of another national championship.

But he also knows that a victory like that can inspire a team.

His victory will probably inspire other inventors to challenge their employers for control of their work, lawyers say.