Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 2025
A St. Louis native and proud graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Bob Brendel began his career in Mizzou Athletics in 1980 as an assistant to legendary Sports Information Director Bill Callahan. Upon Callahan’s retirement in 1985, Brendel stepped into the lead role and served as Mizzou’s Sports Information Director for the next 15 years, leaving an indelible mark on the department and the profession. Brendel’s early assignments included men’s basketball and baseball before he later became the primary contact for football and gymnastics. His tenure with Mizzou men’s basketball included seven conference championship teams, five conference tournament titles and 14 NCAA Tournament appearances, all under Hall of Fame coach Norm Stewart, with whom he worked on more than 650 games. He promoted 17 student-athletes who earned All-America honors and produced award-winning media guides and publications, earning more than 50 national awards, including seven “Best in the Nation” honors across multiple sports. Known for his innovation, Brendel computerized the SID office, expanded school records, developed Mizzou’s official athletics website, and played a lead role in creating the Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame. He also helped organize Missouri football’s 100-year anniversary celebration in 1990 and restructured the sports information staff to better serve coaches and student-athletes, all while maintaining Callahan’s legacy of training a strong network of students and volunteers who went on to careers in athletics, media, and communications. Brendel’s professionalism, honesty and accessibility earned him deep respect from media members nationwide. After retiring from his SID post in 2000, he enjoyed a long career with the Missouri Department of Transportation and later returned to Mizzou Athletics as the department’s part-time historian and archivist, preserving the legacy of Tiger athletics for future generations.
