Stanford University and the family of Katie Meyer have reached a resolution in their wrongful death lawsuit, nearly three years after the soccer star's tragic death. The announcement came Monday, Jan. 26, in a joint statement from both parties.
Meyer, who was a goaltender and captain of Stanford's women's soccer team, died by suicide on March 1, 2022. She was just 22 years old and was found in her dorm room on campus.
Her parents filed the lawsuit in November 2022, arguing that Stanford mishandled a disciplinary matter that contributed to their daughter's death. The case was scheduled to go to trial later this year before the resolution was reached.
The Hero Who Saved the Championship
Katie Meyer wasn't just any college soccer player. She was a legend at Stanford. During the 2019 NCAA women's soccer championship, Meyer made two crucial saves during penalty kicks to help Stanford beat North Carolina 5-4 and win the national title.
The championship game had ended 0-0 after regulation and two overtime periods. That's when Meyer stepped up as a sophomore and delivered one of the most memorable performances in college soccer history.
In the semifinal against UCLA, she also saved a penalty kick that helped Stanford advance 4-1. Those moments defined her legacy on the field.
How Stanford Will Honor Katie's Memory
The settlement includes several meaningful initiatives to honor Katie's impact. Stanford will collaborate with the Meyer family to launch a mental health program for student-athletes at the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute.
Stanford Athletics will also establish the Katie Meyer Leadership Award, given annually to an outstanding student-athlete. Details about both initiatives will be shared later this year.
Perhaps most significantly, Stanford will retire Meyer's jersey number, #19, in recognition of her contributions to the women's soccer program. The university will also adopt principles from "Katie Meyer's Law" to better support students facing disciplinary proceedings.
"While Katie's passing remains devastating and tragic, the memory of her accomplishments and the uplifting influence she had on those who knew her lives on," Stanford said in the statement.
The lawsuit centered on a disciplinary matter from August 2021, when Meyer allegedly spilled coffee on a Stanford football player while riding her bike. Meyer's father previously stated the issue arose from Katie defending a teammate.
Meyer's parents had argued that Stanford failed to provide adequate support during the disciplinary process and didn't inform them of the situation. They said the stress of potentially having her degree delayed prevented Katie from getting the help she needed.
For the Stanford women's soccer program, this resolution allows the team to move forward while honoring one of its greatest players. The mental health initiatives may also impact how universities across the country support their student-athletes during difficult times.
