Nebraska Will Not Attend Big Ten Media Days In Chicago Due To The Death Of Punter Sam Foltz

The Nebraska Cornhuskers will not be attending Big Ten Media Days in Chicago on Monday, July 25th.

The news comes after the Nebraska Athletic Department released a statement on the death of Punter Sam Foltz.

The statement reads:

The University of Nebraska Athletics Department is deeply saddened to confirm that senior punter Sam Foltz was tragically killed in a car accident on Saturday night, while attending a kicking camp near Waukesha, Wisconsin.  Details about the incident will be forthcoming from law enforcement officials in Waukesha.

Sam, 22, was a native of Greeley, Nebraska and the son of Gerald and Jill Foltz.  He was a three-year starter for the Nebraska football team.  In 2015, he was voted as the Eddelman-Fields Big Ten Punter of the Year and was a first-team All-Big Ten selection.  Sam earned his degree in agronomy from UNL in May of 2016.

Head Football Coach Mike Riley and student-athletes Tommy Armstrong, Josh Banderas and Jordan Westerkamp will not participate in Big Ten Media Day scheduled for tomorrow and Tuesday in Chicago.  Arrangements will be made to have Coach Riley and the student-athletes available to all media in the coming days.

The Nebraska Athletics Department will provide more information on services, condolences and memorials when they are available.

The following our statements from Head Football Coach Mike Riley and Director of Athletics Shawn Eichorst:

Statement from University of Nebraska Head Football Coach Mike Riley:

"Last night, we lost one of the best young men who I have ever had the honor to coach and who has ever worn the Nebraska uniform.  Sam was universally loved and respected by everyone he touched and on whom he had a positive influence each and every day.  His tragic loss is immeasurable to his family, his friends, his classmates, his teammates and his coaches and our thoughts and prayers are with all of them.  The young men in our football program are hurting but I know that their strength of character and resolve will bring us together and we will honor Sam every day moving forward."

Statement from University of Nebraska Director of Athletics Shawn Eichorst:

"Our prayers of love and support go out to Sam’s family during this difficult time and we will do all that we can to help comfort them in this time of sadness.  Sam was truly a tremendous young man, who represented everything that a Nebraska student, athlete, teammate and friend should strive to be.  While his loss is devastating, his impact will be felt forever.  Along with Coach Riley, our focus is on providing Sam’s family, teammates and friends with the critical support and love that they need at this time."

UPDATE: A statement from Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor Ronnie Green:

Husker Nation’s heart is broken today to learn of the loss of Sam Foltz in a tragic car accident. Sam was a kind and thoughtful young man who was a leader on the playing field, in the classroom, and in his community. He was an exemplary student-athlete who grew as a player and as a person on his path to recent completion of his degree in agronomy from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and anyone who knew him can testify that he had an enduring influence on those around him. Jane and I observed this just a week ago, at the Uplifting Athletes Road Race in Lincoln, where his joy clearly showed through to his teammates and to children impacted by pediatric brain cancer. All of the UNL family around the world is lifting Sam’s family, friends, classmates and teammates up at this time and in the difficult days ahead. Our thoughts and support also go out to our Big Ten colleagues and family at Michigan State as they mourn punter Mike Sadler. Life is precious, especially when taken so young.