News

July 24, 2016

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Former Michigan State All-America punter Mike Sadler was tragically killed in a car accident Saturday night in Wisconsin. He was 24.

Sadler was working a kicking camp near Waukesha, Wisconsin; current Nebraska punter Sam Foltz was in the same car as Sadler and was also killed in the crash. Details about the incident will be forthcoming from law enforcement officials in Waukesha.

Michigan State will provide more information on services, condolences and memorials when they are available.

Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio:
“We are deeply shocked and saddened to hear the extremely tragic news about Mike Sadler’s death. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Sadler family, his teammates, friends, coaches and Spartan Nation. We also express our deepest sympathies to the family of Sam Foltz and the Nebraska program for their loss.

“Mike impacted so many people not only as a football player, but also from an academic standpoint and in the community as well. The world has lost a rising star who dreamed big and was accomplishing those dreams, one after another. He was one of those people that brightened your day. I always say to try and be a light, and he truly was a light in this world.

“We will all miss him dearly. Once again, we find out that life is so fragile. The world will be a sadder and lonelier place without Mike Sadler in it. May he rest in peace.”

Michigan State Athletics Director Mark Hollis:
“Today is a sad day for Michigan State, Nebraska and all of college football as we mourn the loss of two exceptional young men in Mike Sadler and Sam Foltz. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends in this time of sorrow.

“Mike was the epitome of a student-athlete, excelling in the classroom and on the field, while his quick wit brought a smile to everyone’s face. Most importantly, he represented Spartan Nation with great class, embracing his place as a role model for both kids and adults alike. On a personal note, he was more than just a student-athlete to me; he was a friend. His ability to make everyone feel special was but just one of his many special qualities. And that’s the reason his impact will be felt by everyone who knew him for years to come.

“By all indications, Sam was the exact same role model for the Nebraska football family. While today is filled with sadness and reminders of the fragility of life, we can take solace in knowing that we are all better for having known Mike and Sam.”

Mike Sadler (1991-2016)
On the field, Mike Sadler was a master of his craft and one of the greatest and most productive punters in program history. In the classroom, he achieved an ever rarer feat, becoming the first student-athlete at Michigan State to earn Academic All-America honors four times.

Sadler, a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection (2012, 2013), finished his career ranked among MSU’s all-time leaders in punts (second with 268), punting yards (second with 11,307) and punting average (sixth at 42.2). A valuable weapon on special teams, he placed 39 percent of his career punts inside the 20 (104-of-268) and 21 percent inside the 10 (56-of-268).

Sadler earned first-team Academic All-America honors in 2013 and 2014 and second-team accolades in 2011 and 2012. In addition to becoming MSU’s first-ever four-time honoree, he also became just the third Spartan (Dean Altobelli, 1985-86; Steve Wasylk, 1992-93) and 34th Big Ten football player to earn first-team Academic All-America honors twice.

A member of the 2014 National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Class, Sadler was one of 17 finalists for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which is given to the nation’s top scholar-athlete.

A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Sadler graduated with a bachelor’s degree in applied engineering sciences in May 2013 with a 3.97 grade-point average. He received his master’s degree in public policy in May 2015 with a 3.84 graduate GPA. Sadler was scheduled to begin law school at Stanford this fall.

Sadler also was a four-time Academic All-Big Ten selection (2011-14) and a two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar (2012-13). He was presented the scholar-athlete award at the Spartan Academic Excellence Gala three consecutive years (2013-15) for having the highest GPA on the team for players who have reached at least junior academic status.

Sadler earned All-America status on the field during MSU’s Big Ten and Rose Bowl Championship season in 2013, as he was named a first-team All-American by CBSSports.com and ESPN.com. Sadler ranked fourth in the Big Ten in punting with his 42.5-yard average and led the NCAA FBS with 24 punts downed inside the 10 and ranked tied for second with 33 inside the 20. An honorable mention All-Big Ten selection in 2014, he ranked seventh in the Big Ten in punting with his 41.2-yard average.

Sadler received the Big Ten Conference Medal of Honor in 2015.

Article via www.msuspartans.com