In a significant moment for Stanford women’s soccer, the university has announced that it will retire Katie Meyer’s No. 19 jersey, marking the first time a jersey number will be retired in the program's history. This honor will take place during a ceremony before the Cardinal's home match against USC on Thursday.
Katie Meyer, who played as a goalkeeper for Stanford from 2018 to 2021, tragically passed away by suicide in March 2022 at the age of 22. During her time at Stanford, she was a two-time team captain and played a pivotal role in leading the Cardinal to their national championship victory in 2019.
Paul Ratcliffe, the head coach of Stanford women’s soccer, expressed the profound impact Meyer had on the team and the university. He stated, "Katie was an extraordinary competitor, an exceptional leader and, most importantly, an incredible person who had a profound impact on everyone around her. She played the game with such passion and courage, and she brought a joy and energy to our program that was uniquely Katie." Ratcliffe emphasized that retiring her jersey number is a meaningful gesture to honor her legacy and ensure that future players understand the significant role she played in the program.
The upcoming match against USC will also coincide with Stanford's annual Mental Health Awareness event. As part of this initiative, the Cardinal will distribute “Mental Health Matters” hats to fans attending the game, and various organizations will be present on campus to promote mental health awareness and support for those in need.
On March 1, 2022, Meyer was found deceased in her dorm room just months before her graduation. At the time of her passing, she was reportedly facing disciplinary action from the university related to an incident where she defended a teammate, allegedly spilling coffee on a Stanford football player accused of sexual assault. Following her death, Meyer’s parents filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Stanford, claiming that the university had acted negligently in sending her a formal disciplinary notice that contained threatening language regarding potential sanctions.
In January 2023, a settlement was reached between Stanford and the Meyer family, which included the establishment of the Katie Meyer Leadership Award. This award is given to the Cardinal athlete who best embodies Meyer’s leadership qualities and spirit. The inaugural recipient of this award was Andrea Kitahata, a former teammate of Meyer.
In response to the circumstances surrounding Meyer’s death, California passed legislation in 2024 known as Katie Meyer’s Law. This law mandates that public universities and colleges in the state must provide students facing disciplinary action with access to an independent advisor, a move aimed at improving student support and mental health resources.
Leave a Comment