Stanford University Women's Soccer Goalie, Katie Meyer, Dies Tragically at 22

On March 1, 2022, Stanford University shared tragic news regarding the death of an undergraduate student. The following day, on March 2, the college announced that Katie Meyer, the goalkeeper and team captain of the Stanford women's soccer team, had passed away. She was 22 years old.

What exactly happened to Katie? Keep reading to find out.

Stanford Vice Provost for Student Affairs Susie Brubaker-Cole initially revealed in a statement to the community that the international relations major was found dead in an on-campus residence.

"Katie was extraordinarily committed to everything and everyone in her world," it reads.

The statement continued, "Her friends describe her as a larger-than-life team player in all her pursuits, from choosing an academic discipline she said 'changed my perspective on the world and the very important challenges that we need to work together to overcome' to the passion she brought to the Cardinal women's soccer program and to women's sports in general."

In 2019, the "fiercely competitive" Katie Meyer made two massive saves in a penalty shootout to help Standford clinch its third NCCA championship against the University of North Carolina.

Katie's parents revealed on March 4 that their daughter died by suicide. They believe she was facing possible disciplinary action from the university after defending a teammate on campus and that this may have contributed to her death. According to Today, her mother, Gina, said: "She had been getting letters for a couple months. This letter was kind of the final letter that there was going to be a trial or some kind of something. This is the only thing that we can come up with that triggered something."

The university has made resources available for those impacted by Katie's passing and notes that everyone can help "by checking in on friends and loved ones." "Be caring to yourselves and one another," the university states. "We will grieve this great loss together, and we will be here for each other."

Of Katie's passing, Bernard Muir, the director of athletics at Stanford University, said, "There are no words to express the deep sadness we feel about Katie Meyer's passing."

He added, "Katie was an outstanding student-athlete and a beloved, passionate leader here at Stanford. Our entire athletics community is heartbroken, and Katie will be deeply missed."

If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide please call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.