Brother Bennett, 1931-1994.
Brother Bennett, we salute you and we thank you for your contribution to our sport.
TESTAMENT: "I never heard anyone describe Brother Bennett as a "typical" Brother of the Sacred Heart. He was unique in so many ways. On Holy Days of Obligation at St. Stanislaus, he and all of his students would wear bright, colorful neckties in "silent protest" of what he perceived as a lack of adequate observance of the holy days by the school community. That practice typifies for me the fascinating blend of "conservation" and "liberal" elements which co-existed within him. (Brother Bennett would have no difficulty with that first "label", but he'd probably take exception to the latter one.)
He was a very traditional classroom teacher, both in content and in methodology, but he never "went out of style" in the minds and hearts of his students. They greatly admired and loved this bastion of Catholic orthodoxy and of American patriotism who allowed his deep love for each of them to show through his formal, disciplined demeanor. Brother Bennett spent most of his teaching career at St. Stanislaus, serving there from 1969-1987.
While at St. Stanislaus, he gained state and national recognition because of his involvement in weightlifting and powerlifting, his love of which paralleled his love for the classroom. As founding president of the American Drug Free Powerlifting Association, he dedicated countless hours and seemingly limitless energy to a cause which he strongly believed in. In a 1984 interview with the Gulf Pine Catholic newspaper, he said, "A lot of good people teach weightlifting. But as a brother, I also teach religious truths and help in the moral formation of the young people in my club. That's what being a brother all is about."
Being a Brother was eminently important to Brother Bennett. His fidelity to community prayers and activities wer obvious - even though his penchant for tardiness was likewise legendary. In his own way he deeply loved his brothers, his life as a religious educator, and his involvement with weightlifting. In 1969 he was honored by the state of Alabama for his efforts to promote patriotism among high school student; and in 1980 he was elected vice-president of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chapter of the Right-to-Life Association.
In the midst of all his activities, he remained committed to sharing his life and love with his mother and other members of the family; and he developed and sustained close friendships wherever he served. Brother Bennett knew clearly during the past several months that his battered heart could stop beating at any time. He was prepared to meet face-to-face the Sacred Heart he had served so generously throughout his life. The ‘Ametur Cor Jesu' he insisted his students include on every work paper or test submitted to him, is now his song of praise for all eternity".
-Brother Paul Montero, SC, Provincial.
The Brother Bennett Award was first awarded in 1989, and is the most prestigious of the honorary awards given by the members of USA Powerlifting. It is named for the founder of the drug free powerlifting movement in the U.S., and recognizes extraordinary service to the athletes of our organization and leadership in furthering the cause of drug free sport. The recipients of the Brother Bennett Award reflect the highest ideals of our sport, and many of the recipients were both mentored by Brother Bennett and share his vision of a lifting platform free from the effects of strength inducing substances.
Visit USA Powerlifting to read about the past Brother Bennett Award Recipients.
USA Powerlifting Honorary Awards
