Number of Participants: 58
Hours Donated: 5
Value of Time Served: $10,089
Event Type: Veterans & Military Families
Activity: Boys Lacrosse
School: Nyack Senior High School
Date: May 1, 2026
Location:
Nyack High School
Christian Herald Road, Nyack
NY
About:
The Nyack Boys Varsity Lacrosse team recently hosted a powerful Red Bandana Game against Irvington Boys Lacrosse, using athletics as a platform to honor the life, courage, and legacy of 9/11 hero Welles Crowther — widely known as “The Man in the Red Bandana.”
The event served as a meaningful tribute to the victims and heroes of September 11 while helping educate student-athletes and the community about the extraordinary bravery displayed that day.
A former lacrosse player and volunteer firefighter, Crowther became a symbol of selflessness and heroism during the attacks on the World Trade Center. On September 11, 2001, he courageously guided people to safety inside the South Tower, reportedly saving as many as 18 lives before ultimately sacrificing his own.
Throughout the evening, Nyack players, coaches, and supporters reflected on the qualities Crowther embodied — leadership, courage, compassion, and service to others. His story continues to resonate deeply within the lacrosse community because of both his athletic background and the incredible example he set through his actions.
By hosting the Red Bandana Game, Nyack Boys Lacrosse demonstrated how athletics can be used to teach lessons that extend far beyond competition. The event created an opportunity for players and community members to come together in remembrance while reinforcing the importance of character, unity, and putting others before oneself.
Initiatives like this highlight the positive impact high school athletics can have in preserving important stories, honoring heroes, and inspiring the next generation of student-athletes to lead with purpose both on and off the field.
The evening also helped build momentum toward an even larger event planned for September 19, 2026, as the program prepares to honor the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with a major tribute dedicated to Welles Crowther’s legacy of leadership, sacrifice, and service.
The event stood as a powerful reminder to never forget the lives lost on 9/11 and to continue carrying forward the legacy of heroes like Welles Crowther through acts of compassion, courage, and community leadership.
