About Us
A Proud Past - A Bright Future…
Drug free powerlifting has a proud tradition in Mississippi. It’s roots were put down at St. Stanislaus College (a high school established in 1854) in Bay St. Louis Mississippi. Brother Bennett Bishop, a teacher at the school, was the founding President of the American Drug Free Power Lifting Association (ADFPA), the predecessor of the USAPL. He did much of the early work from his office in the gym at St. Stanislaus. He adopted for our organization the motto, “Men’s Sana in Corpore Sano-A Sound Mind and Sound Body” as well as official colors at the time, red & black, directly from the school. With its beginnings in Mississippi, our athletes helped pave the way for the growth of the sport. Also, the names of some of the greatest athletes in the history of our organization are from Mississippi.
Today the tradition continues. The Brother Bennett Award is given each year for service to our organization and our young athletes are continuing to make their mark on the sport of powerlifting. It is now more important than ever to let athletes know they have a choice - a drug free choice.
Let’s all work together to raise awareness and the profile of drug free lifting. We can spread the word, support drug free meets and participate where we can. We have a great past and an even brighter future.