Tragedy has struck Stanford University.
The school announced on Tuesday that Stanford women’s soccer team goalkeeper Katie Meyer was found dead inside a campus residence.
According to reports, no cause of death has been revealed by Stanford University or the Santa Clara County, California, Sheriff’s Department.
It dawned on me where did I hear Katie Meyer's name before and it was this incredible moment featured on @notthefakeSVP SportsCenter.
Life is just truly unpredictable, man. Thoughts to her fam and Stanford. https://t.co/RlGEWPji9c
— Douglas Reyes-Ceron (@dreyesceron) March 2, 2022
When Tragedy Strikes
According to reports, the 22-year-old senior was a student’s team captain and international relations major and history minor.
The school did not disclose Meyer’s cause of death. However, the school assured the campus community there was no threat to their safety.
“Katie was extraordinarily committed to everything and everyone in her world,” Susie Brubaker-Cole, the vice provost for student affairs, and athletics director Bernard Muir said in a statement.
“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.”
Devastated to hear the news today about Katie Meyer. All my prayers to her loved ones, @StanfordWSoccer and the entire @GoStanford family.
Will never forget her performance in the 2019 National Championship. 💔 pic.twitter.com/u7yzG6CDDz
— Ashley Adamson (@AdamsonAshley) March 2, 2022
“Fiercely Competitive”
The statement also espoused Meyer’s critical plays that won the Pacific Athletic Conference 12 championship in 2019. According to reports, Meyer appeared in 50 games in her career, compiling a 0.72 goals-against average and a 34-12-4 record.
“Fiercely competitive, Katie made two critical saves in a penalty shootout against North Carolina to help Stanford win its third NCAA women’s soccer championship in 2019. Katie was a bright shining light for so many on the field and in our community.”
According to reports, Meyer’s death is part of an alarming uptick in student deaths at Stanford, as she is the fourth Stanford student to die over the past year.
just feel like this needs to be said again. be kind. check on your friends. my heart goes out to Katie Meyer’s family, friends & @StanfordWSoccer ❤️ https://t.co/Bh6AlyLafY
— Teagan Micah (@TeaganMicah) March 2, 2022
What Is Happening At Stanford?
According to reports, Stanford announced last February that medical student Rose Wong was found dead by suicide in an on-campus residence.
Incredibly, Jacob Meisel, an engineering student, was killed in Palo Alto six months later after being hit by a train. Eventually, the Santa Clara County coroner ruled Meisel’s death a suicide.
Then tragically, Stanford law student Dylan Simmons was found dead in an on-campus residence in late January to start 2022.
RIP Katie Meyer 🙏
Our condolences go out to her loved ones in this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/mskrHlhrri
— Women's International Champions Cup (@iccwomen) March 3, 2022
Checking In
“There are no words to express the emptiness that we feel at this moment,” the statement continued. “We are reaching out to all of you in our community because this impacts all of us. Please know you are not alone. There are resources available to support us during this difficult time.
“We can all help by checking in on friends and loved ones. Be caring to yourselves and one another. We will grieve this great loss together, and we will be here for each other. More details about opportunities to remember Katie as a community will be communicated as soon as we are able.”
Katie Meyer will have a lasting impact on our entire team, Stanford University and women's sports forever. https://t.co/eESbxDsn3Y pic.twitter.com/RU6wHDuEdk
— Stanford Women’s Basketball (@StanfordWBB) March 3, 2022
The soccer world reacted to Meyer’s death.
“The thoughts and hearts of the entire U.S. Soccer Federation are with the family, friends, teammates and loved ones of Katie Meyer,” The United States Soccer Federation tweeted.
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