E.J. Bennett, former Viking, to be inducted into Mass Maritime Hall of Fame

Sep 18, 2021

Edwin E.J. Bennett, a Wareham native, will be inducted into the Massachusetts Maritime Academy Athletics Hall of Fame on Sept. 25.

Bennett, who graduated from Mass Maritime in 2015, will be honored for his collegiate football performance. Bennett is the first Black alum to be included in the Hall of Fame.

Bennett played football all four years at the Academy, and earned MASCAC All-Conference honors three times. He is the all-time career leader at the Academy for receptions and receiving yards. He also holds the records for most receptions in a season, most receptions in a game, most receiving yards in a season and most receiving yards in a game by a Buccaneer.

While a student at Wareham High School, Bennett was a defensive back and running back for the Wareham Vikings, for whom he totaled 1,000 yards — 700 on the ground — 12 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Today, Bennett lives in New Bedford and works as a building engineer for the Newark Group.