Peter Sauer, a former captain at Stanford who helped lead the Cardinal to the 1998 Ultimate Four, has died. He was 35.

The college mentioned Monday that Sauer died Sunday night time in White Plains, N.Y., whilst taking part in in an grownup league leisure basketball recreation. The 6-foot-7, 225-pound ahead from Pittsburgh was a part of a Stanford workforce that reached 4 directly NCAA tournaments below former instruct Mike 1st viscount montgomery of alamein.

"Peter was a man who whilst he stepped at the court, he at all times performed with an enormous heart," former teammate and present Stanford assistant instruct Mark Madsen stated. "He was a really perfect shooter and a difficult guy, but if he went off the court, his center and the volume he cared approximately other people was even larger".

Stanford's training workforce gained main points that Sauer was taking pictures unfastened throws after a game, collapsed and hit his head. He could not be revived after 20 mins by EMTs. He was later said useless at a close-by hospital.

"It's implausible. I WILL NOT are aware of it proper now," stated Arthur Lee, element defend for that Stanford group. "Pete was a shockingly vibrant guy, so helpful, an attractive teammate. I CANNOT consider he is gone."

Karen Pasquale within the White Plains mayor's workplace mentioned Sauer hadn't complained of now not feeling neatly earlier than collapsing and hitting his head at the concrete. An post-mortem was below way, she mentioned.

A four-year letter winner for the Cardinal from 1995-99, Sauer averaged SEVENTY NINE. issues and FORTY TWO. rebounds for his career, together with

9.2 issues throughout his junior season. Madsen recalled the center Sauer confirmed throughout the Ultimate 4 run by coming back from a knee damage to knock down a 3-pointer within the final seconds of the Cardinal's 86-85 additional time loss to Kentucky within the NCAA semifinals. Sauer completed with 10 points, seven rebounds and a blocked shot in 22 mins of that recreation.

"You sought after the ball in Pete's palms past due within the game," Madsen stated. "He sought after the drive and to shoot overdue within the sport".

Montgomery, now training at Cal, known as Sauer "the epitome of the definition of a student-athlete. He was sensible; he was difficult; he was a winner."

"Peter Sauer was probably the most in style avid gamers I'VE ever coached," Bernard Law Montgomery mentioned. "He performed on a last 4 crew and was a vital part of the luck of that staff. Peter was someone that his teammates actually appeared as much as and popular. It's tragic that this may occur to a tender guy within the top of his lifestyles. We're all very saddened with the inside track. That is very difficult information to get. My middle is going out to his circle of relatives in this tricky time."

Sauer, who was born in St. Louis on Nov. 9, 1976, earned a point in economics from Stanford. He had labored until as of late in investments for Financial institution of The usa in New York, the place he gave Stanford's gamers a excursion of his place of work development right through their off day from the NIT this previous spring. He additionally continuously stayed involved with this system and was making plans a reunion for former gamers in this fall's USC-Stanford soccer game, together with a flag soccer sport for them to get in at the a laugh.

"That was Peter," Madsen stated. "He simply desired to get everyone in combination".

Sauer is survived by his wife, Amanda, and 3 kids.

"Everyone within the Stanford neighborhood is deeply saddened by the passing of Peter Sauer," show Johnny Dawkins stated. "He was a big person and a loyal husband and father. He was very captivated with Stanford and our basketball application. Our emotions and prayers exit to his spouse Amanda and their three youngsters".

Kris Weems, who performed 4 seasons with Sauer at Stanford, referred to as him probably the greatest teammates he ever had.

"Pete had some way approximately him the place he can be a chief and nonetheless be one of the most guys, too," mentioned Weems, now an assistant train for participant construction with the Golden State Warriors after spending seven years because the boys basketball tutor at Menlo College in Atherton. "He was one of the crucial men who made the engine move".

Sauer is also survived by his parents, Mark and Georgia Sauer, and more youthful brother Alex. Mark Sauer is a former president of the St. Louis Blues NHL franchise and Pittsburgh Pirates baseball membership.

Weems recalled the 1998 run to the general 4 the place Stanford performed on the Kiel Middle in St. Louis within the nearby finals. Mark Sauer was with the Blues on the time and allowed Weems, Arthur Lee and Peter Sauer get entry to to the NHL team's scorching bath within the coaching room.

"I'll always remember that," Weems mentioned. "We had been residing it up, sitting there with the largest smiles on our faces.

"Getting to the overall 4 was a great enjoy. However every so often it is not simply successful or dropping the games, it is moreso the folk you might be round. Pete was only a excellent dude to be around."

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Bay Space Information Staff Team of workers Author Jeff Faraudo and Related Press Creator Jim Fitzgerald in White Plains, N.Y., contributed.