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University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Specialists Remember Foltz, Sadler
11/10/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
One of the best examples of college football being about so much more than wins and losses is the bond that specialists around the country have with each other.
"There is a lot of guys that consider it a brotherhood, kind of like a fraternity. We are all close friends and we all love to see each other do well," Gopher kicker Emmit Carpenter said. "Maybe not when we play each other, but we always want the best for each other on the field."
"Specialists are kind of quirky guys. We like to have fun and we lighten the mood when things get a little serious around the football facilities," Minnesota punter Ryan Santoso explained. "It's different than regular football positions too because we go to camps with different specialists from different schools throughout the summers and get training sessions with them just to pick their brain."
That brotherhood was rattled this past summer after one of those kicking camps. Nebraska punter Sam Foltz and Former Michigan State punter Mike Sadler were tragically killed in a car accident coming back from a camp that was held in Whitewater, Wis. Both Carpenter and Santoso were at the same camp that weekend.
"I would be lying if I said my heart didn't sink into my stomach a little bit every time I hear something about it," Carpenter said. "They were really unique and incredible young men. Even the time I got to spend with them both the two days before the camp and then working the high school camp with them made me realize that they were some real special people. Their impact is beyond measure."
In the wake of the tragedy the college football community has responded admirably. Both Foltz and Sadler have been lifted up with powerful moments and tributes week after week.
"It's heartwarming to know that there are people out there who realize there is more to life than football. Since this tragedy happened, a lot of people have realized how precious life really is and how fragile each and every day is," Santoso said. "Although it had to come in terrible circumstances, I think a lot of people learned from it. It's brought a lot of people closer together.""He will forever be in the hearts and minds of Husker fans"#RIP27
(via @BigTenNetwork)https://t.co/90d9Si59yH- Nebraska Huskers (@Huskers) September 4, 2016
One of the ways they were honored was when the Big Ten introduced commemorative coins with images of both men alongside their respective school logos on either side. Carpenter and Santoso were both honored to receive one of the coins so they can always remember Foltz and Sadler. Santoso recently shared his own personal memory of Sadler.
"I actually came across some videos of Mike on my iPad that I was watching of him, learning from his style of punting from training sessions that we had done together," Santoso explained. "That was a cool moment just to reflect on what a great guy he was. Just to remember how great of an athlete he was and also the kind of guy he was off the field. The guy that wants to help everyone out, the one who is super intelligent and knew that education matters a lot more in life than football. He's one guy that definitely knew where his life was taking him."
As the Gophers prepare to take on Nebraska this weekend, Carpenter and Santoso both said they will take a moment to reflect on Foltz and the legacy he left when they walk out onto the Memorial Stadium field.
"I've told myself I want to strive to be more like Sam. He was a hero in their community and he was just an all-around incredible person," Carpenter said.
"Sam just had that smile and that charisma that everyone loved. He was definitely a friendly guy. He loved everyone, loved his family. He was just a small-town guy who wanted to get better. He wanted to make a name for himself and his hometown," Santoso said. "I miss him. I miss him like crazy. It's going to be crazy not to see him on the field."
Nebraska has made sure that Foltz's presence has been felt all season long. The first punt of the year they only lined up 10 men and they have used SF27 in multiple ways to honor and remember Foltz.
"The SF27 is not going to go down. It's going to be raised up every game," Santoso said. "You can just see how well respected he is in that stadium, in that community and in Nebraska."
