Ben Pinkelman

Ben Pinkelman first started playing rugby in at the age of 13, when some friends encouraged him to play for Cherry Creek High School in Denver, CO. Falling in love with the game, Pinkelman would make his way to the Colorado State University rugby program where his coach nominated him for a U20s tryout, eventually competing in his first USA Rugby match in 2013.

Before graduating from CSU with a degree in Criminal Justice, Ben would be called up to the USA Men's Sevens National Team for his debut during the Wellington 7s in 2015, subsequently earning a roster spot in Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Olympic Games. Moving through his playing career as an on-field general, Pinkelman continued to progress as one of the best players and leaders in the game, eventually switching fields to the XVs pitch for his Men's Eagles debut against Samoa in 2019, immediately followed by an invite to the 2019 Rugby World Cup roster.

Pinkelman would just missing the Tokyo 2020 Olympics with an injury, prompting him to step away from the game for a short while, spending that time in camp with the USA Men's Sevens, coaching and leading the program development sides. In 2023, Ben returned to the playing pitch with targets set on selection to the Paris 2024 Olympic squad.