In the time it takes to put on a pair of shoes, Travis Roy's collegiate career as a hockey player was over.
Roy, a 33-year-old motivational speaker, spoke Thursday night to a crowd of 650 students about overcoming challenges and achieving goals despite obstacles.
Roy attended Boston University on a full hockey scholarship in 1995. During the first 11 seconds of Roy's first game, he ran headlong into the boards, a move that paralyzed him from the shoulders down.
Since then, he has gained use of his right arm.
"In life, there are times when we choose our challenges and other times when our challenges choose us," he said. "How we deal with them is what defines us."
For the past four years, Roy has traveled around the country speaking to high schools, colleges and corporations.
Roy was brought by the Dean of Students Office and Student Government's Disability Cabinet to speak in the Featured Speaker Series, which brings four speakers to campus every semester.
Although Roy spoke about hockey and his injury, it was only a small part of the purpose behind his motivational speech.
He said his main goal was to encourage students to stay positive in the light of challenges and be able to adapt to change.
"Who you are on the core will help you through life's challenges," he said.
Leslie Hahn, assistant director of New Student Programs, decided to bring Roy to UF once her colleagues raved after hearing him speak at a conference. She said she was encouraged by the fact that the vast majority of students were receptive to Roy's speech.
"It's a very moving story," said Kathleen Ochipa, UF freshman. "Just to see his goals go from playing hockey to moving his arm, it shows that if you have goals, you can achieve things."
