Former Binghamton Soccer Captain Kayla Saager-Beckley Dies at 30 While Pregnant With First Child

Kayla Saager-Beckley, a former captain and standout soccer player at Binghamton University, has died suddenly at the age of 30 while pregnant with her first child.

Saager-Beckley died on September 9, 2026, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, according to Binghamton University Athletics and statements from the University of Tulsa football program. She was found unresponsive approximately 10 minutes after completing a workout. Her husband, John Beckley, is an outside linebackers coach for the Tulsa football team.

Kayla was pregnant with the couple’s first child, a daughter they had planned to name Sawyer. The baby also did not survive. Her family later shared a tribute describing Kayla as a “beautiful, loving and unforgettable soul,” saying that both Kayla and Sawyer would remain forever in the hearts of those who loved them.

The circumstances surrounding Kayla’s death remain under investigation. No official cause of death has been released, and the Tulsa County Medical Examiner’s Office has indicated that determining the cause could take months as additional testing is completed.

Kayla built an impressive collegiate soccer career before her death. She began her college career at North Carolina State and later played at West Virginia before transferring to Binghamton ahead of the 2017 season. During two seasons with the Bearcats, she scored 22 goals and became one of the program’s leading offensive players.

In 2017, Kayla was named America East Striker of the Year after scoring 11 goals and helping Binghamton capture a share of the conference regular-season title. She also earned first-team All-ECAC and second-team All-Region honors. She served as a captain and was remembered by the university as both a team leader and a deeply family-oriented person.

After graduating in 2019 with a degree in sociology, Kayla continued her soccer career professionally in the Czech Republic before transitioning into coaching. She spent four years on the staff at Troy University in Alabama, where she also earned a master’s degree in health and physical education. More recently, she worked in college soccer scouting and recruiting after moving to Tulsa with John.

Binghamton head coach Neel Bhattacharjee remembered Kayla as a dynamic forward whose contributions helped elevate the program. He also highlighted her compassion and love for her family, saying the university community was devastated by her loss.

Kayla’s death has left her family, former teammates, colleagues and the soccer community mourning the loss of a young woman whose life and career had already touched many people. As the medical examiner continues the necessary testing, her loved ones are waiti

Source: NY Post