The sports world is mourning the sudden loss of Kayla Saager-Beckley, a former NCAA soccer star who died unexpectedly at just 30 years old. The Binghamton University alumna was pregnant with her first child at the time of her passing.
Kayla, who was married to Tulane outside linebackers coach John Beckley, passed away last Wednesday morning. The devastating news was confirmed by Tulane head football coach Tre Lamb during a press conference on Monday.
According to Lamb, Kayla was working out when something went terribly wrong. "She was working out, 10 minutes later she was found unresponsive," he said. She was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
"It's just been a really hard week for him, for us as a staff, our coach's wives. She was 30 years old. She was pregnant with their daughter, Sawyer. It's been tough on our staff. We had a memorial for her last night. We just ask that you please pray for the Saager family, the Beckley family. We're going to honor her with a helmet sticker this week at our game, and she's definitely in our thoughts and prayers," Lamb added.
Binghamton University also released a statement expressing their profound sadness. Head coach Neel Bhattacharjee remembered Kayla as a "dangerous and dynamic forward with a true gift for finding the back of the net." He noted that her contributions helped elevate the program, saying, "To this day we stand on her shoulders." He also highlighted her "big heart and her deep love of family."
Kayla's journey in soccer was remarkable. A New York native, she began her collegiate career at NC State and West Virginia before transferring to Binghamton. In 2017, she led the Bearcats to an 11-4-4 record and a share of the America East regular season title, earning Striker of the Year honors. She repeated as the conference's top scorer the following year, and her career stats rank among the best in the program's Division I era.
After graduating with a sociology degree, Kayla played professionally in the Czech Republic before transitioning into coaching. She spent four years on the staff at Troy University, where she earned a master's degree in health and physical education. Most recently, she had been working in soccer recruiting and scouting.
The sudden death of a young, expectant mother has sent shockwaves through the sports community. As other recent tragedies have shown, life can change in an instant. Our thoughts are with Kayla's family, friends, and all who knew her.
Kayla's legacy extends beyond her on-field achievements. She was a beloved wife, daughter, and soon-to-be mother. Her impact on those around her will not be forgotten. Rest in peace, Kayla.
