Travis Roy (April 17, 1975 – October 29, 2020) was an American ice hockey player, philanthropist, and motivational speaker. He is primarily known for his brief collegiate hockey career and his subsequent decades of advocacy for individuals living with spinal cord injuries.
Athletic Career and Injury Roy was a highly recruited hockey player who attended Tabor Academy before enrolling at Boston University (BU). On October 20, 1995, during his first game for the Boston University Terriers against the University of North Dakota, Roy was paralyzed from the neck down. The injury occurred just 11 seconds into his first shift when he collided with the boards after attempting a body check. The impact resulted in a cracked fourth cervical vertebra, leaving him a quadriplegic.
Philanthropy and Advocacy In 1996, Roy established the Travis Roy Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Boston, Massachusetts. The foundation focused on two primary objectives: providing individual grant money to spinal cord injury survivors for adaptive equipment and home modifications, and funding scientific research toward finding a cure for paralysis. Over its 24-year history, the foundation raised more than $20 million for these causes.
Public Life and Legacy Roy became a prominent figure in the disability community and a sought-after motivational speaker. In 1997, he co-authored an autobiography titled Eleven Seconds: A Story of Tragedy, Courage & Triumph with Sports Illustrated writer E.M. Swift. The book details his athletic aspirations, the incident that led to his paralysis, and his subsequent efforts to find purpose through service.
In recognition of his contributions to the university and the sport, Boston University retired his jersey number, 24, in 1999. He was the first player in the history of the program to have his number retired.
Death Travis Roy died on October 29, 2020, at the age of 45, due to complications following a surgical procedure. Shortly after his death, the Travis Roy Foundation announced its closure, having achieved its final fundraising goals and fulfilling its mission as established by Roy.