The family of former Binghamton University soccer captain Kayla Saager-Beckley has broken its silence, following the shocking death of her and her unborn child, Sawyer, on September 9.
“Kayla was a beautiful, loving and unforgettable soul whose laughter, kindness and love touched so many lives,” the family said in a statement shared by Kayla’s husband, John Beckley. “She and Sawyer will forever remain in the hearts of all who knew and loved them.”
Kayla, 30, died after being found unresponsive following a workout last Wednesday morning, Tulsa University head football coach Tre Lamb announced in a press conference on Monday, September 14. (John is the Golden Hurricanes’ outside linebackers coach.)
“It’s just been a really hard week for him, for us as a staff, our coach’s wives,” Lamb, 36, said. “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.”
No cause of death has been revealed and a spokesperson for the Tulsa County Medical Examiner’s Office told the New York Post that it could be months before one can be determined.
Kayla’s family is asking that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her and Sawyer’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or The Bee Foundation, which supports awareness, education, prevention and research surrounding brain aneurysms.
“Any donation made in Kayla and Sawyer’s memory would be deeply appreciated and would help turn their memory into something that can bring hope and help to others,” the family’s statement read. “Please keep Kayla, Sawyer and their families in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.”
Tulsa football shared the statement via X, adding at the end, “Forever loved. Never forgotten. Always in our hearts.”
Kayla’s soccer career began at NC State and then West Virginia, before she transferred to Binghamton ahead of the 2017 season. She helped lead the Bearcats to a conference championship in her first season, one year after the team finished in last place in the America East.
After graduating in 2019, she played professionally in the Czech Republic before transitioning into coaching. She was most recently an assistant coach at Troy University in Alabama.
“Binghamton women’s soccer is profoundly saddened by the passing of Kayla Saager-Beckley,” Bearcats head coach Neel Bhattacharjee said in a statement last week. “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.”
He continued, “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.”
