Bennett Blazers Blazing Wheelchair Lacrosse

Bennett Blazers Blazing Wheelchair Lacrosse

Gwena Herman is truly a lacrosse visionary. She runs a sports program known as the Bennett Blazers for children living with physical disabilities. The Blazers are a part of the Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Physically Challenged Sports Program, which provides year-round, competitive, and recreational activities to those in the greater Baltimore area. The Blazers offer a multitude of sports including ice skating, swimming, football, volleyball, and, of course, lacrosse!

Building Confidence Through Lacrosse

We asked Gwena about her decision to incorporate lacrosse into their repertoire of sports.

“We like our athletes to have the same opportunities as their peers that they go to school with and lacrosse is so big in Maryland. We offered it on and off for several years and last year one of our kids who loved it, asked us to offer a lacrosse program this year.

As with all sports, lacrosse teaches teamwork, sportsmanship, focus, confidence. When athletes can feel good about playing a sport, they feel better about themselves.”

To help build athletic confidence, The Bennett Blazers have been using Swax Lax balls at their practices!  

Gwena says, “The kids have really enjoyed the addition of the Swax Lax balls. We have used lighter weight balls in past years and that did not bring about the same control and feel. I think the kids are gaining better control of their shots as a result of a true weighted ball.”

A True Bennett Blazer Athlete  

The Bennett Blazers were founded on Gwena’s devotion to helping others. She and her husband, Gerry, have built a competitive and elite program for athletes. Some Blazers have gone on to compete in the Paralympics and play at the college level. The athletes come from all different backgrounds but share a passion at their core. Gwena describes who a true Bennett Blazer is:  

“The most important thing is to realize that they are athletes like everyone else. They are determined, hard working and very competitive with one another. Most importantly they want to have fun playing the sport of lacrosse, they just happen to need a wheelchair to play.”


We wish the Bennett Blazers success both on and off the lacrosse field, and thank them for growing the game of lacrosse!

Bennett Blazers Wheelchair Lacrosse in Baltimore Maryland using Swax Lax Lacrosse Training Balls

Bennett Blazers Wheelchair Lacrosse in Baltimore Maryland using Swax Lax Lacrosse Training Balls

Bennett Blazers Wheelchair Lacrosse in Baltimore Maryland using Swax Lax Lacrosse Training Balls