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CHICAGO – Michigan State Coach Mark Dantonio described former punter Mike Sadler as a giver, while expressing his condolences to the family of the former All-American, who died in a car accident last weekend along with Nebraska punter Sam Foltz.

“Mike had a gift of making everybody around him feel special, he was going to find a way to make you smile,” Dantonio said. “Our thoughts and prayers go to his family, and to Sam’s family as well. Both of those individuals were incredible people who were loved by their football teams.”

Dantonio lauded Sadler for his sense of humor off the football field and his competitive fire on Saturdays.

“There’s story after story of him lighting up a room, saying something not sort of funny but real funny,” Dantonio said. “Or not taking himself seriously, or jabbing somebody else. Then there was the serious side to him as well, the very competitive side. That guy was an outstanding player. He could drop a punt inside the 10, and no moment was too big a moment for him, whether it was calling his number for a fake punt or he being the holder and steadying the nerves for somebody else.”

“That’s what I’ll remember of Mike, his gift for life, love of life and his competitiveness on the football field and off the football field.”

Dantonio spoke with Nebraska coach Mike Riley on Monday.

“Sam seemed to be the same type of person (as Mike),” Dantonio said. “He was extremely convicted with his faith and was well respected and loved by his teammates.”

Dantonio reached out to Sadler’s parents after learning of his former player’s death on Sunday. He spoke with them again yesterday morning before meeting with his coaches.

"When I spoke to Mike's mother and father on Sunday, the grief was very clear," Dantonio said. "When I spoke to his mom and dad yesterday there was conviction, and there was strength in their tone."

Current Spartan punter Jake Hartbarger was participating in the same camp at which both Sadler and Foltz were working when they were killed.

"He's shook, but we'll take care of Jake," Dantonio said.

Dantonio indicated that Michigan State would take steps to honor Sadler during the season.

"We have some thoughts relative to in house," Dantonio said. "We've also talked with Mark Hollis and our Spartan Fund about setting up a possible scholarship fund, a legacy fund for a Mike Sadler scholarship. But everything right now is too soon. Right now its about remembering Mike, remembering Sam and trying to move forward one step at a time.

Dantonio met his staff on Monday morning before leaving for Chicago.

"There are a lot of faith-based people on our staff," Dantonio said. "I think we draw strength from each other. Everyone on our staff had a relationship with Mike Sadler, a different relationship of some sort whether it was a head coach, a defensive coach, a special teams coach.

"I almost didn't have a staff meeting, but I thought if we came together and were together, that together we could move forward."