Stanford Law School Lost A Promising Student, Spartan Nation Lost A Legend

Mike Sadler and Sam Foltz, rest in peace.

Mike Sadler (via Michigan State University)

Mike Sadler (via Michigan State University)

“I drop down to my knees thankful for life today / No naps just long sleep; hibernate” — Rich Homie Quan

Last weekend, former Michigan State punter Mike Sadler, 24, and Nebraska punter Sam Foltz, 22, were involved in a fatal car accident that took their lives.

Sadler was set to attend Stanford Law School in the fall. Having lived in Grand Rapids, Michigan, while he attended high school there, I was fairly familiar with his accomplishments and accolades before he committed to my alma mater, Michigan State University.

In Sadler’s senior season at Forest Hills Northern High School, he nailed a 58-yard field goal. Who does that in high school? This was just a small sign of things to come for Spartan Nation.  And from 2011 to 2014, Michigan State students, alumni, and fans had the opportunity to witness Sadler’s greatness every football fall Saturday. He consistently pinned the football inside the 10-yard line and shocked opposing fans with his rushing ability. His fake punts and automatic first downs became the stuff of legend, especially against our rival. Fake punt rushes for 26-yards, a quarter of the football field, what punter does that?

By the end of his collegiate career, Sadler became a household name in East Lansing. He may have graduated from his time here on earth, but his name adorns our record books. According to MSU’s official website, Sadler finished second all-time at MSU in punts (268) and punting yards (11,307), and sixth all-time in punting average (42.2).

As good as he was on the field, he may have been even better off of it. Stanford Law School must’ve recognized this when they accepted him for the fall. He earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees in four years — with a 3.97 GPA in Applied Engineering Sciences and a 3.84 GPA in the Master of Public Policy Program. Sadler became Michigan State’s first four-time Academic All-American.

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In a column I wrote for Ms. JD and the ABA, I wrote about what you’ll wish you’d known before starting law school and stressed how law school can become quite a bubble — where it seems all that matters are grades, clerkship opportunities, and law review. My father’s death popped that bubble instantly and put life back into perspective. Just last year, I wrote about another fellow Spartan who was killed by a former Texas A&M football player on the same trail I ran daily. Like any other runner who shared the same trail and alumnus who shared the same collegiate allegiance, I felt an irrationally strong intimacy to Stevens’ death.

Like so many other MSU students, alumni, and fans (and even some Big Ten Coaches) who followed Sadler’s career, I felt a special Spartan bond to Sadler as well. I doubt Sadler needed any bitter truths to put life in perspective. If the goal of one’s life is to leave a legacy, he had accomplished this and much more in his short time on earth. As MSU Football Coach Dantonio said on Sunday:

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.

For those in the Michigan area, Mike Sadler’s family has invited the public to celebrate his life this Sunday at 3:00 p.m. at Spartan Stadium. For those who can’t make it or want to be reminded of Sadler’s unique wit and humor, make sure to check out this highlight video of his top tweets and reel of his podcast highlights.

In 2012, Sadler tweeted, “When (wishful thinking) I get to Heaven, I’m going to be disappointed if God doesn’t sound exactly like Morgan Freeman.” I’m not sure if God will sound like Morgan Freeman, but I’m sure you are in Heaven now making him laugh.

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No doubt, Stanford Law School will miss your presence in the fall and so will Spartan Stadium.

#RIPMikeSadler #RIPSamFoltz


Renwei Chung is passionate about writing, technology, psychology, and economics. You can contact Renwei by email at projectrenwei@gmail.com, follow him on Twitter (@renweichung), or connect with him on LinkedIn.