Tickets available for Sadler celebration

Published 8:58 am Wednesday, July 10, 2019

DOWAGIAC — The third annual Celebration of Life for former Michigan State punter Mike Sadler will be Sunday at Atwater Brewing in Grand Rapids.

More than 500 Michigan State fans, coaches and players, as well as football fans from other Big Ten schools have taken part in the first two celebrations.

“We are looking for at least that many this year,” said Karen Sadler, Mike’s mother. “It is really a huge gathering of friends and fans that just continue the legacy. We are really happy to have that happening. It means a lot to us.”

The event, which supports the Mike Sadler Foundation, continues to tie into Michigan State where Mike was a punter for the Spartans. The Grand Rapids native was killed in a single-car crash while returning home from a kicking camp in Wisconsin in July 2016.

The Celebration of Life will include the Michigan State Marching Band ensemble, the Spartan dance and cheer teams, as well as the MSU mascot Sparty.

“We have some music group every year and this year it happens to be from MSU,” Karen said. “A lot of former players and current football players show up. Even some basketball players show up.”

There will also be a silent auction at the event, which begins at noon and runs until 3 p.m.

Monroe Street in Downtown Grand Rapids will be closed at Michigan for the celebration. Complimentary parking is provided by Michigan State at the MSU Research Center located across from Atwater Brewing.

Cost is $40 per person and includes two free drinks (beer or soda), a Sadler wristband and a souvenir pint glass. Original No. 3 Sadler shirts will also be available for purchase.

“It is a really fun event and a great time for people to come together and remember the person Mike was,” Karen said. “I am so grateful. My biggest fear is people forget, but that does not seem to be happening. We are growing the legacy.”

The money raised will help the Mike Sadler Foundation continue its work, which includes going into schools and teaching children how to build their legacies and the importance of starting to build them early.

“Because you do not know if you are going to live to be 24 like he was or 94,” Karen said. “But you want to leave a positive footprint. And so using his legacy as a model, we are able to teach them what a legacy is, why it is important and how to build their own. He left us with good material to work with other people and impact their lives.”

Tickets for the event can be purchased in advance at eventbrite.com/e/3rd-annual-mike-sadler-celebration-of-life-tickets-62235051715.