Former Soccer Star Dies Suddenly at 30 While Pregnant With Her First Child

The college sports community is mourning the sudden loss of Kayla Saager-Beckley, a former standout soccer player who died unexpectedly at just 30 years old.

Kayla, a Long Island native and former Binghamton University soccer star, was married to Tulsa football assistant coach John Beckley. She was also pregnant with the couple’s daughter, Sawyer.

A Tragic Loss

According to Tulsa head football coach Tre Lamb, Kayla had been working out shortly before she was found unresponsive at around 7 a.m.

“She was working out, 10 minutes later she was found unresponsive,” Lamb said during a press conference.

Her sudden passing has deeply affected her husband, their families, and the entire Tulsa football community.

“She was 30 years old. She was pregnant with their daughter, Sawyer,” Lamb said.

A cause of death has not been publicly announced.

Remembering Her Soccer Career

Kayla was one of the most accomplished players in Binghamton women’s soccer history.

During her two seasons with the Bearcats, she:

• Scored 22 goals.
• Served as team captain.
• Earned all-region honors twice.
• Was named the 2017 America East Striker of the Year.
• Graduated from Binghamton University in 2019.

The university remembered her as a talented forward with a gift for scoring and a deep love for her family.

“Kayla, you are forever and always a Bearcat. May you rest in peace,” Binghamton women’s soccer coach Neel Bhattacharjee said in a statement.

A Life Beyond the Field

After college, Kayla continued playing soccer professionally overseas in the Czech Republic.

She later became a coach, spending four years as an assistant coach at Troy University in Alabama. More recently, she worked in college soccer scouting and recruiting.

She moved to Tulsa with her husband after he joined the university’s football coaching staff in 2025.

Honoring Her Memory

The Tulsa football team held a memorial for Kayla on Sunday night. Players will also wear a special helmet sticker in her honor during their next game.

Coach Tre Lamb asked supporters to keep the Saager and Beckley families in their thoughts and prayers.

“We just ask that you please pray for the Saager family, the Beckley family,” Lamb said.

Kayla’s life touched many people through soccer, coaching, and her love for family.

She will be remembered not only for her achievements on the field, but also for the person she was away from the game.

May she rest in peace. ❤️