Neal Brendel

Neal R. Brendel (September 12, 1954 – August 25, 2021) was an American rugby union player and lawyer. Brendel played at the inaugural 1987 Rugby World Cup. His test debut for the Eagles was against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on July 9, 1983. He made his last appearance for USA against England at the 1987 World Cup at Concord Oval, Sydney, Australia. Brendel served on the USA Rugby Board of Directors and held various executive posts, commencing in 1996 ultimately serving as Chairman of USA Rugby (2002-2005) and was the first National Team player to ascend to the top leadership post of the Union. In 2017, Brendel was presented with the Craig Sweeney Award (part of the US Rugby Hall of Fame) for his service and contributions to the game and the Union. Brendel was in the first class of inductees into the Virginia Rugby Hall of Fame and was its Honorary Chairman. Brendel also served as a Governor of the US Rugby Foundation.

Neal Brendel
Date of birth(1954-09-12)September 12, 1954
Place of birthMcKeesport, Pennsylvania
Date of deathAugust 25, 2021(2021-08-25) (aged 66)
Place of deathPittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Occupation(s)Lawyer[1]
USA Rugby chairman
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1980–1990 Pittsburgh Rugby Club[2] ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1983–1987 United States 6 (0)

Brendel began his rugby career at Yale University where he was also an All American NCAA wrestler and in 1976 was awarded Yale’s prestigious William Neely Mallory Award (awarded to the Senior male athlete who “best represents the highest ideals of American Sportsmanship”). In 2009, Brendel helped to establish his law firm’s Dubai office and divided his time between Dubai and Pittsburgh.

Brendel died in 2021 at the age of 66 of mesothelioma.[3][4]

References
  1. "Neal R. Brendel | People | K&L Gates". www.klgates.com.
  2. "Pittsburgh Forge Rugby Club". Pittsburgh Forge Rugby Club. Archived from the original on 2019-08-19. Retrieved 2019-08-19.
  3. Henry, Justin (August 26, 2021). "Neal Brendel, Who Established K&L Gates' Dubai Office, Dies at 66". law.com. Archived from the original on October 17, 2022. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  4. Goff, Alex (August 26, 2021). "Neal Brendel, Former Eagle, USA Rugby Chairman, Has Died". Goff Rugby Report. Archived from the original on October 17, 2022. Retrieved August 26, 2021.


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