Photo by Jennifer Heshion of Sippican Week
From Sippican Week
MARION — Travis Roy still has a soft spot for his alma mater, Tabor Academy.
A former Seawolf, Roy was the man of the hour February 4 for the 16th annual Travis Roy Cup hockey matchup between Tabor and the St. Sebastian Arrows, held inside the Travis Roy Arena.
Coming back to Tabor, though, can be bittersweet, Roy said.
“When I was here I was able-body and had the whole world ahead of me,” he said. “I can still remember that.”
In May 1995 Roy graduated from Tabor and headed to Boston University on a hockey scholarship. Just five months later, Roy slid headfirst into the boards during a matchup against the University of North Dakota, cracking his fourth and fifth vertebra.
Since his accident, Roy has spent the last 16 years traveling across New England as a motivational speaker and generating donations for the “Travis Roy Foundation.” Roy created the foundation in 1997, which has since generated over $2.5 million for spinal cord injury research.
Roy said the Travis Roy Cup rivalry between Tabor and St. Sebastian’s School in Needham began with the coaches and athletic directors. The coaches from both schools thought an annual game would make for both a great hockey game and fundraiser he said.
Travis Roy is a great speaker, and I have been lucky to have the chance to hear him speak at my school. If you can, please visit his foundation HERE and help to support his cause. Thanks!
