Welles Crowther

About Welles
Welles' Legacy

On September 11, 2001, Welles Crowther, BC alum '99 and former men’s lacrosse player, was working as an equities trader at Sandler O’Neill in the South Tower of the World Trade Center when a plane hijacked by terrorists struck the building. Trained as a volunteer firefighter in his hometown of Nyack, N.Y., Crowther became known as "The Man in the Red Bandanna" for the handkerchief he wore as a protective mask while organizing a rescue effort to guide survivors down the building's stairwells to safety. He returned to the building twice to direct survivors to the only working staircase before he was killed when the south tower collapsed.

Crowther's story has inspired many people, and his bravery and selflessness have become a symbol of hope and heroism. In his honor, the Red Bandanna Project was founded, which aims to encourage people to live a life of compassion and service and honor Welles Crowther's legacy. The project has raised funds for scholarships and other charitable endeavors in Crowther's name.

In addition, Crowther's family has established the Welles Remy Crowther Charitable Trust, which supports organizations and causes that were important to Crowther, including education, firefighting, and disaster relief. The trust also supports the Red Bandanna Project and other initiatives that promote the values that Crowther embodied. His story reminds us of the best of humanity in the face of tragedy, and his example inspires people to make a positive difference in the world.

The Welles Crowther Red Bandanna 5k

Boston College’s Red Bandanna Run is a 5k race that takes place annually in memory of Welles Crowther. The event was started in 2004 and has become one of the university's proudest traditions. The run is held to support the Welles Remy Crowther Charitable Trust to continue his legacy of helping others. The trust funds educational and character-building programs for young people and supports individuals experiencing financial hardship. The Red Bandanna Run brings together Welles' family, friends, BC alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends from all over the country to celebrate and honor his life.

Welles Crowther Red Bandanna 5k Race Page

"The Man in the Red Bandanna"

The short ESPN documentary provides a deeply moving and inspiring portrayal of Crowther's heroic actions on September 11, 2001. It highlights his bravery and selflessness in helping people evacuate the World Trade Center's South Tower, where he worked on the 104th floor. The documentary showcases Crowther's passion for helping others and his lifelong dream of becoming a firefighter. Despite the danger, he made multiple trips up and down the South Tower, ultimately saving the lives of up to 18 people.

The video features interviews with Crowther's parents and survivors who were helped by him, providing insight into his character and the impact he had on those he saved. Survivors recounted seeing a man with a red bandanna guiding them to safety and encouraging them to keep moving. Through these testimonies, Crowther's parents were able to piece together their son's final moments and understand the extent of his heroism. The documentary is a powerful tribute to Crowther's courage and compassion, highlighting the importance of his legacy and the impact he had on the lives of others.

Boston College and the Red Bandanna

The red bandanna, a symbol of Welles' heroism representing the true meaning of “men and women for others," has been embraced by Boston College athletics. The Red Bandanna Game has become an annual tradition at Boston College for the community to come together to remember and celebrate the life of a true hero and ensure that Welles' legacy of selflessness and service to others continues to be an ongoing purpose for the community.

Red Bandanna Game

The first-ever Red Bandanna Game took place Sept. 10, 2011 when Boston College faced Central Florida in football. The game served as a powerful tribute to the 22 members of the Boston College community who lost their lives on that fateful day 10 years prior.

On Sept. 14, 2014, the Boston College football team played the inaugural Red Bandanna Uniform Game, beating No. 9 Southern California 37-31. The game was a defining moment for the program as it was BC's first win over a ranked opponent since beating Florida State in 2008. Quarterback Tyler Murphy rushed for 191 yards and scored the game-winning touchdown on a 66-yard run with 3:30 left in the game. The team dedicated the game to Welles Crowther and the win was a testament to the team's perseverance and dedication to embodying the values of being a "BC man."

Football Red Bandanna Games

2014 - BC vs. No. 9 USC
2015 - BC vs. No. 9 Florida State
2016 - BC vs. No. 3 Clemson
2017 - BC vs. Florida State
2018 - BC vs. Miami
2019 - BC vs. Florida State
2020 - BC vs. Notre Dame
2021 - BC vs. Virginia Tech
2022 - BC vs No. 5 Clemson

Boston College Red Bandanna Athletic Events

Women's Soccer
Lacrosse
Field Hockey
Basketball
Men's Golf
Women's Golf

Red Bandanna 19 Patch and Backpack Tag Program

Starting with the 2022-23 school year, Boston College Athletics partnered with the Undergraduate Student Government (UGBC) to annually select a student-athlete from each team that best represents the motto “men and women for others” to wear a ‘19’ patch on their uniform. Additionally, UGBC selects student leaders that best represent the motto through their service on campus and within the community to receive a ‘19 For Welles’ backpack tag to wear on campus.

Police Patch Project

In 2022, the Boston College Police Department introduced the new Red Bandanna Police Patch Project. The project involves creating custom police patches featuring a red bandanna in honor of Welles Crowther and his legacy. The patches are meant to serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers and first responders, as well as a symbol of unity and strength in the face of adversity.

During the entire month of October, including the annual Red Bandanna Football game against Clemson, Boston College police officers displayed the Red Bandanna Police Patch on their uniforms as a way to remember the heroism and sacrifice Welles made to save others on Sept. 11, 2011. Patches can be purchased online at the Boston College Bookstore with proceeds from the sales will go directly to the Welles Remy Crowther Charitable Trust, which was establish by the Crowther family in September 2001 to honor and keep Welles' memory alive through good works benefitting young people.

Welles Remy Crowder Charitable Trust