Travis Roy Inspires New Generation

Upcoming 'Junior Beanpot' To Benefit Travis Roy Foundation

by Avash Kalra/Senior Writer (@AvashKalra)

On October 20, 1995, an 11 second shift by then-Boston University freshman forward Travis Roy stunned the sports world when Roy — after falling head first into the boards during his first shift for the reigning national champions — suffered a devastating spinal cord injury, fracturing his 4th and 5th cervical vertebrae and leaving the 20-year old paralyzed from the neck down.

It would be easy to dwell on those 11 seconds, but Roy's story has famously been defined much more by the time leading up to that shift, and of course most notably by the time since — his remarkable journey from the boy he was in '95, to the man he's become.

Jacob Gurdin, meanwhile, is 13 years old and lives in Brookline, Mass., part of Greater Boston. He was born a decade after Roy's accident. And he was born eight years after the establishment of the Travis Roy Foundation, Roy's organization that aims to help spinal cord injury survivors through research and other activities.

But as Roy has learned — to his surprise, he says — his story is timeless. Gurdin has seen Roy's No. 24 jersey hanging from the rafters at the Terriers' Agganis Arena, and when it came time last year to organize a social action project as part of his preparations for his Bar Mitzvah, Gurdin connected with Roy.

"He wanted his project to be a fundraiser, using hockey — something that he certainly has a passion for — and he was going to mimic the Beanpot event," said Roy, referencing Boston's historic annual four-team tourney won this year by Northeastern.

Last year, Gurdin organized a 'Junior Beanpot' that raised approximately $15,000, and this year, the second annual event — a four-team tournament scheduled for 5 p.m. this Saturday night at Boston University's Walter Brown Arena, the very building in which Roy was injured — is set to be even bigger, with all proceeds, including a silent auction and raffle, to benefit the Travis Roy Foundation.

"It just makes me feel good," said Roy, whose book 'Eleven Seconds,' co-authored with Sports Illustrated's E.M. Swift, chronicles much of his experience. "Quite frankly, it amazes me that there's another generation that knows who the heck I am. Events like this tournament, it's neat. I always wonder what the heck they think about me, or who I am, or what I am."

In reality, Roy's impact has not just been intangible. Roy has seen, and certainly experienced, an evolution in the treatment and management of patients with spinal cord injuries. Through research and through his Foundation's adaptive equipment grants, he's also been part of effecting change — providing tangible benefit that has inspired Gurdin and a new generation to follow Roy's lead.

"It's incredible what people can do these days with a disability," Roy said. "You just have to have the right technology, the right voice-activated computer, the right wheelchair, the right pressure-relieving mattress so that they don't end up with a pressure sore."

And Gurdin, who has spearheaded the organization for the Junior Beanpot alongside his parents Steve and Lisa, is well aware of the potential far-reaching impact that his generous efforts can provide.

"It's really meaningful because we always play really hard," Gurdin said. "This is one day to relax and do it for a cause. It's been really cool. I've learned a lot. He went from a bad place to a good place, and he always stayed positive."

For over two decades, Roy has openly reflected on not only his accident, but his efforts to improve lives of others in similar situations. Now, he's faced with motivating a new generation of young athletes who learn about him.

But youth sports have changed, too, and that's given Roy pause.

"I worry a little bit more, as hockey continues to become a little bit invasive in their lives," Roy says. "I just want them to have fun. I want them to enjoy it. I'm careful about what I say, but I wish they'd just take three or four months off. I wish they'd get away from the rink, and that the rinks would shut down. I wish it weren't such an all-encompassing sport where you just get so saturated and start burning out before their primes. I'm all about just having fun.

"I love the game. I literally love the sport. But I also respect and appreciate the time to put the bag away, to go do some other things, and use some other muscles, and have different groups of friends, and not to just keep going from rink to rink, from all-star showcases, to summer camps, to strength and conditioning. It's kind of sad to me that the culture has become so all-encompassing, so saturated."

Paralleling Roy's journey has been an increased focus, greater awareness, on the risks of head injury — not only in hockey, but all contact sports. It's led to reform in concussion protocols, as well as improvements in equipment to keep athletes safer. Roy is asked all the time if he thinks hockey is safe.

"I'm very quick to say it's a safe sport, it's a great sport," Roy continued. "My accident was an absolute fluke. It was just that — it was an accident. I think the opportunity and the environment that hockey provides — it's a safer environment than a lot of other environments. I don't know what the statistics are, but I don't know if you're more in danger driving to and from the rink than you are when you're playing in the rink. You never know what's going to happen. I think the rules are in good shape with hockey. I think the awareness of the concussion protocol — it is a contact sport. Occasionally you're going to get some bumps and bruises. If you get a concussion, take time off, and do what's needed. Make sure you get the proper attention.

"The sport gave me so much. So much of my personality, my confidence, my ability to face adversity — a positive attitude, setting goals, discipline. There's so much good that I take from my time being around the sport. I sure wish my accident never happened, but at the same time, if it's going to happen, I'm glad it happened out on an ice rink and not diving into a pool, or a pond, or a freak car accident."

Roy's story, clearly, is a remarkable one. And as the years go by, his story has less and less to do with an 11-second shift, and much more to do with something more important. His messages, clearly, are now being received by a new generation, and that legacy — for Roy and his Foundation — stretches far beyond any rink.

"I don't know if I've got a 1,000-piece puzzle, or a 10,000-piece puzzle, and I also don't know how many pieces of the puzzle the Travis Roy Foundation is responsible for," said Roy, who will be on hand on Saturday for the Junior Beanpot event. "But I know we're growing. I know our impact is real. And selfishly, it's given me purpose. It's given me a life that I'm proud of.

"I think the bigger picture is, it's all going to help others, and hopefully end paralysis as we know it."

To find out more about the Junior Beanpot Tournament event, scheduled for Feb. 24, visit: https://www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/jr-beanpot1