At Rensselaer, we are proud to recognize the student-athletes who are members of the Class of 2020. We thank them for their hard work, dedication and tremendous efforts in representing the Institute in a first-class manner academically and athletically. We wish them well as they continue to complete the semester and become Rensselaer alumni / alumnae. 

While at Rensselaer:
Linebacker ... Captain as senior ... Played 43 games in career ... Had 98 solo tackles and 102 assisted for 200 total ... Registered 13.5 tackles for lost yards (46) ... Three sacks (23 yards lost), seven interceptions, 14 pass breakups and two forced fumbles ... All-Liberty League twice ... All-ECAC once ... Business and Management & Economics dual major ... Dean's Honor List ... SAAC (Liberty League representative).

Favorite sports memory during career?
"My junior year playing against No. 3 Brockport in the second round of the NCAA Playoffs as 28-point underdogs and our team playing the most complete game on all three phases that I have been apart of. The celebration in the locker room afterwards was electric and accomplishing something so historic and so improbable is a memory I will tell my grandchildren about someday." - April 2020

What makes Rensselaer so special?
"All the support I have received throughout the years, whether it be the professors, the coaching staff, training staff and Bob Conway. I have always felt cared for and felt that the best interest of the student-athlete were always put first. Also, the relationships and bonds that I have made with my teammates are unmatched and will last a lifetime. I am so grateful for the experience I received at RPI and feel prepared to take on the world." - April 2020

What are your post-graduation plans?
"I will be returning to Rensselaer as part of the co-terminal program where I will receive an MS in Quantitative Finance Risk Analytics in hopes of becoming an Investment Banking Consultant in the future." - April 2020

From the coaching staff:
"John Sadak was an impact player during his entire career at RPI. Known as the Tazmanian Devil for his relentless effort, he poured his heart and soul into every practice and game for four years. His high motor and passion for RPI football will never be forgotten." - March 2020 

What others say:
"John was an incredible athlete and leader. He always went the extra mile and gave an insane amount of effort everyday. He earned his way on to the field as a freshman because of his 'All-In' mentality and his high energy level. He consistently gave 100% effort in every practice and it showed on film. He went from strictly a special teams player his freshman year to one of the key contributors on our defense the following three years (easily the hardest linebacker I've ever had to block)." - March 2020

"A class act who you can always count on to do the right thing." - April 2020

"Always brought the juice, day in and day out, and just always brought up the energy of everyone around him, no matter the situation." April 2020

"I have never seen a guy play the game of football so hard. Whatever he was doing, it was always 110%. Running scout team against him definitely made me and many others better football players." - April 2020

"A great captain, but an even greater friend." - April 2020

"His love and passion for the game and our team shows every time he's on the field." - April 2020

"Perfect example of student-athlete. Always pushed me to do better and become better in school and on the field. When I first arrived here he helped me feel welcome since it was my first time living up north. When I couldn't go back home for Thanksgiving, he let me stay at his house. There's so much John Sadak has done for me as a friend, not to even mention all his football accomplishments. Couldn't have asked for a better teammate or friend. Probably the most well-rounded person in the locker room." - April 2020

All Senior Celebration Series pieces are available by clicking HERE.