A former NCAA soccer star has died “suddenly” at the age of 30 years old.
Kayla Saager-Beckley, who starred collegiately at Binghamton University, died unexpectedly last weekend. She was pregnant with her first child. Saager-Beckley was married to Tulane outside linebackers coach John Beckley.
Tulsa head football coach Tre Lamb announced the devastating news. Kayla passed away around 7 a.m. last Wednesday, September 9.
The former NCAA soccer star was working out when something happened and she was found unresponsive, ultimately being pronounced dead.
“She was working out, 10 minutes later she was found unresponsive,” Lamb said during a press conference Monday.
“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.”
Kayla Saager-Beckley/FB
Binghamton announced her passing in a statement.
“Binghamton women’s soccer is profoundly saddened by the passing of Kayla Saager-Beckley,” head coach Neel Bhattacharjee said. “Kayla was a dangerous and dynamic forward with a true gift for finding the back of the net, and her contributions helped elevate the competitiveness and stature of our program. To this day we stand on her shoulders. Beyond the field, she was known for her big heart and her deep love of family. We are devastated by this loss and send our heartfelt sympathy and support to her parents Ron and Noranne and her husband John. Kayla, you are forever and always a Bearcat. May you rest in peace.”
Kayla was a New York native.
“She came back to her home state and closed her collegiate career at Binghamton after early-career stops at NC State and West Virginia. In 2017, Saager lifted a Bearcat program that had finished last in the conference the previous year. Her 11 goals and 29 points led to an 11-4-4 record and share of the America East regular season title. Saager was named America East Striker of the Year, first team All-ECAC and second team All-Region. One year later, she again tallied a conference-best 11 goals and repeated as an all-conference and all-region selection. Her goals per game (0.53) and points per game (1.51) rank first in the program’s Division I era,” Binghamton shared.
“After graduating with a degree in sociology, Saager embarked on a professional career that took her overseas to the Czech Republic. She then moved into coaching and served four years on the staff at Troy University (Alab.), where she earned her master’s degree in health and physical education.”
Kayla had recently gotten into soccer recruiting and scouting.
May she rest in peace.
