Drury makes inaugural sports hire

Courtesy SpringfieldRugby.com

Bryan Bevel is building the Drury men's rugby team to debut during the 2022-23 academic year.

Drury University's new men's rugby program leader is a first for the school.

Bryan Bevel was chosen to launch men’s rugby, one of seven new sports programs announced by the university in the spring. A rugby fixture in Springfield since 1994, he serves as president of Springfield Rugby Football and the Queen City Chaos, according to a news release. He was inducted into the Springfield Rugby Football Club Hall of Fame in 2019 and has been a member of the Western United States Select Side, Pill Harriers RFC and the Old Coronado Rugby Club.

"I look forward to the challenge and opportunity to build a team from the ground up for Drury University," Bevel said in the release.

The Drury men's rugby team is scheduled to debut during the 2022-23 academic year.

Bevel additionally owns Springfield restaurant The Pitch Pizza & Pub. He started the business in 2017 after selling his stake in Springfield Brewing Co. in 2016, according to past reporting.