Strength in Good Company: UMass Lowell Powerlifting
As part of our ongoing Footnotes from Campus initiative, a student giveback project celebrating collegiate strength communities, we sent care packages to powerlifting clubs across the country. Inside: our 1HUND lifting shoes, a disposable film camera, and one challenge - capture whatever felt real.
A Young Team Making Noise
When the package reached the UMass Lowell Powerlifting Club, it found a team still early in its journey but already leaving its mark. Founded in 2022, UML Powerlifting has grown to a tight crew of around twenty members - all fueled by pride, progress, and a shared love for the sport.
In just two short years, they’ve made a statement: Kaiman’s first-place finish in the 82.5 kg men’s division and the men’s team’s 5th-place finish at Collegiate Nationals 2024. For a club this young, that kind of success doesn’t happen by chance, it’s built through collective energy and consistency.
Gratitude, Grounded in Grip
When members first laced up their 1HUND shoes, the reaction was simple - appreciation.
“You can’t imagine how happy some of our newer lifters were to receive free shoes. They felt great, had solid grip, and the colorways were diverse.”
The sentiment spoke to something deeper. For UML Powerlifting, progress isn’t just about numbers on a bar, it’s about small acts of support that make every member feel seen.
One More Pull
That support was on full display during vice president Sean Verrier’s last meet. After finishing his final competition deadlift, he walked back into the warm-up room for one more attempt - surrounded by teammates and strangers alike, everyone waiting to see what would happen.
Then he pulled it - 595 lbs, a post-meet PR that brought the whole room to life. It was the kind of spontaneous, collective moment that defines why people fall in love with strength sports in the first place.
Strength Beyond the Platform
Looking ahead, UML Powerlifting’s vision is rooted in balance.
“Keep it fun. We’re not just a powerlifting team — we’re a community that exists beyond the platform.”
That sense of belonging runs through everything they do. To new students curious about joining, their advice is clear:
“Powerlift because you love it. Do it for the joy, for the people around you - not just to be the best in the world.”
📲 Follow the journey: @1hund.co
📷 Stay close to the Aztec crew: @umlpowerlifting
📝 Watch for more stories from Footnotes from Campus — the campaign continues.
