Buffalo Bandits ball boy Brett Swenson beloved as ‘heart and soul’ of team
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — When it comes to who is the “heart and soul” of a sports team, the answer can vary based on who you ask.
Some say it’s the star players, while others think it’s the one who displays the most leadership. It can even be defined as the voice of the team, whoever is calling the games.
But if you ask members of the Buffalo Bandits who the heart and soul of their team is, they’ll give you a much different, but unquestioned answer: Brett Swenson.
“Brett’s been around ever since I’ve known him as a little kid,” Bandits head coach John Tavares said.
Tavares said Brett is part of the family and does everything to make sure he knows it.
“The one game we had a pregame speech I let him help me out on it and when we have our shootaround in the morning he likes to pump up the boys and tell them what we need to do to win,” Tavares said.
“I loved when Johnny T said that you are part of our team we would like you to be the Buffalo Bandits ball boy and that moment it’s stuck together perfectly,” Swenson said.
Swenson became the team’s ball boy in 2009 when he was a little kid and has been doing it ever since. His love of Buffalo Bandits lacrosse runs deep in his family as his dad, Chris Swenson, has been the PA announcer since the team was founded in 1992.
“That keeps me doing what I’m doing right? The fact that they have unconditional love and acceptance for my son,” Chris said.
Chris is a Bandits legend, narrating some of the biggest moments in franchise history and creating the “Banditland” atmosphere every game at the arena. His phrases like “Buffalo WHAT?”, “Johnny WHO?” and “What’s he got?” are a staple of the game day experience, and have been for more than 30 years.
“Swenny’s someone who I grew up watching Bandits games, NLL games and I didn’t know him personally, but I knew him by his voice so to be able to create a relationship with him has been really awesome,” Bandits forward Josh Byrne said of Chris.
And now Brett is just as beloved.
“Also to see his relationship with Brett and how Brett has really just really became the heart and soul of our team has been incredible,” Bryne added.
“When you feel like you’re a part of a team, it is way beyond fun,” Brett said with a smile.
Since Brett became a ball boy in 2009, he hadn’t experienced the elation of winning a championship — that is until last June when Buffalo won its first NLL title since 2008. And Brett recalls the moment he joined in the celebrations on the field and the first person he went looking for.
“I came on to the turf and I immediately sprinted towards [Chris] because he has been my best bud and me and him have some, a lot of cool memories together,” Brett said.
Chris was a part of four championships before last season but said the 2023 title was something extra special having not only Brett there, but his wife Geralyn and daughter Sarah as well.
“This has been such a big part of my life for the last 32 plus years and the fact that it’s an extension that brings the family together and that I get to share with my son it’s indescribable,” Chris said.
“Yeah, it’s incredible,” Bandits forward Dhane Smith said. “You see that relationship and you wanna be a part of that, it’s contagious. And honestly when I have kids I wanna be just like them.”
As the team tries to repeat as NLL champions, Brett and Chris will continue making memories this season not only as father and son, but as Brett says, “best buds.”
“It’s funny because we’ll walk into the building and the boys, especially [John Tavares], the first thing they do is they don’t come to me, they go right to Brett, everybody wants to talk to Brett, everyone wants to get that Brett energy, and I’ve gotta go ‘Hey guys, how are you?’ and they go ‘Oh hey Swenny, good to see you,'” Chris said while laughing.
Brett and John Tavares even have their own handshake they’ll break out from time to time.
Bandits head coach John Tavares and ball boy Brett Swenson perform their handshake after the team’s NLL title win in June 2023. Bandits head coach John Tavares and ball boy Brett Swenson perform their handshake after the team’s NLL title win in June 2023. Bandits head coach John Tavares and ball boy Brett Swenson embrace after the team’s NLL title win in June 2023.
“We’ve been doing it for a couple of years, we’ve both mastered it and Brett’s a hugger. It’s nice getting a hug from Brett,” Tavares said with a smile.
“So at the end of the day, I think Brett really is the star of the show and he’s the guy that everybody is sought after and I’m kind of an afterthought, which is okay with me,” Chris said. “It’s just a ton of fun.”
Latest Sports News
Sabres D Mattias Samuelsson out for season, F Jack Quinn to miss 6-8 weeks
Top-ranked Canisius gets 400th win for coach Kyle Husband at Centercourt Classic
Buffalo Bandits ball boy Brett Swenson beloved as ‘heart and soul’ of team
Centercourt Classic at St. Joe’s is tribute to late coach Gabe Michael
Bills hire internally to fill defensive line, linebackers coaching vacancies
Heather Prusak is a sports reporter who joined the News 4 team in 2020. See more of her work here.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
