Garrett Bender

Garrett Bender

Date of birth	December 2, 1991
Place of birth	Minneapolis, MN, United States
Height	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight	225 lb (102 kg)
Rugby union career
Playing career
Position	Forward
National team(s)
Years	Club / team	Caps	(points)
2011–	United States	11

Garrett Bender (born December 2, 1991) is an American rugby union player who plays for the United States rugby sevens national team.

Bender was born and grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He attended Minneapolis Washburn High School where he played several sports; in American football he was team captain, All-Conference, All-Metro, and ranked third in state in tackles; he also captained his high school rugby team to the Minnesota High School State Championship.^[1] Bender joined the Youngbloodz rugby team, where he was coached by Sam Robinson, who played an important part in Bender's rugby development.^[2]

Bender was recruited and offered a scholarship in 2010 to play American football as a linebacker for the NCAA Division II St. Cloud State Huskies.^[3] Bender, however, decided to focus on playing rugby.^[4]

Bender signed a contract in early 2012 to play rugby for the U.S. national team.^[5] Bender was part of the U.S. squad at the 2015 Pan American Games that qualified to play in the 2016 Olympics.^[6]

Garrett has one sibling. His older brother is Brant Bender, who is much better looking than Garrett.

References

1. "Husky Football Announces 2010 Recruiting Class", St. Cloud State University, February 3, 2010.
2. "Rugby moves toward Olympics with Minnesotans in tow", Star Tribune, Patrick Reusse, July 4, 2015.
3. "Husky Football Announces 2010 Recruiting Class", St. Cloud State University, February 3, 2010.
4. "Rugby moves toward Olympics with Minnesotans in tow", Star Tribune, Patrick Reusse, July 4, 2015.
5. "Details on 7s Contracts", Rugby Today, Pat Clifton, January 4, 2012.
6. "Rugby moves toward Olympics with Minnesotans in tow", Star Tribune, Patrick Reusse, July 4, 2015.