Two rising football punters were killed in a crash Saturday in Waukeha County.
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“We join the Nebraska and Michigan State communities in sending our thoughts and prayers to the families, teammates, coaches, administrators and friends who have been impacted by the tragic loss of Sam Foltz and Mike Sadler”, Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany said in a statement to media, according to a media report on lovingfutbol.com.
“This day will be stuck in time forever”, Nebraska coach Mike Riley told local reporters late Sunday evening.
Foltz, 22, from Grand Island Nebraska was identified as a passenger in the vehicle. He was the Big Ten Punter of the Year in 2014.
“Foltz was in the passenger seat of the vehicle, which a sheriff’s department news release said lost control on wet pavement and struck a tree around 11:45 p.m. Saturday. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Waukeha County Sheriff’s office, after the auto swerved off a two-lane road, struck a tree and caught on fire,” the article reads. “Speed appeared to be a factor in the crash , the release said.”
Foltz was in a vehicle driven by former Michigan State punter Mike Sadler, who was also pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.
Louisiana State kicker Colby Deleahoussaye was also reportedly injured in the crash.
Authorities said it’s unclear if any of the three men were wearing seatbelts.
“Sadler, who had a 3.97 undergraduate GPA, was driving Saturday night after working at a football camp in Waukesha, Wisconsin. The crash scene is about 10 miles north of the high school,” the article reads. “Dan Tracy with Kohl’s Kicking said both Sadler and Foltz had been coaching at a weekend clinic in Wisconsin.”
There was a somber mood Monday during what normally are festive Big Ten Football Media Days, according to the article.
“Nebraska begins practice next week, and Riley said quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. offered poignant words at a team meeting about the players coming together in the wake of tragedy. The tributes for Foltz and Sadler have been pouring in.”
The crash remains under investigation according to media reports.