Michigan State has announced that Executive Associate Athletic Director Jim Pignataro has passed away at the age of 49.

The announcement came via the Spartans Twitter account for overall athletics.

Pignataro spent most of his time at MSU, where he was tasked with the overall care of all student-athletes. Before taking this position, Pignataro was the Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete services from 2008-2015 and he was also the Director of Student-Athlete Support Services from 2002-2017.

In the press release on the official website, Todd Edwards, who’s the Executive Director/Student-Athlete Support Services released a statement on Pignataro’s passing and how much he meant to the Spartans community:

“Over the last 25 years, there may have been no one with a greater impact on the MSU student-athlete experience than Jim Pignataro,” said Todd Edwards, Executive Director/Student-Athlete Support Services. “He was a mentor and friend to many. Jim embodied the servant leader, always thinking of the students and his staff, and what he could do for them. His devotion to his faith and his wonderful family, his wife Alana, Alison, and Jimmy, is an example for all of us. He had a tremendous impact on my life and I will deeply miss my dear friend.”

No further information on his passing has been provided at this time.