Former Binghamton Soccer Captain Kayla Saager-Beckley Dies Suddenly at 30 While Pregnant

Kayla Saager-Beckley, a former captain of the Binghamton University women’s soccer team, has died suddenly at age 30 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, leaving her husband and the university community mourning an unexpected loss.

Kayla died on the morning of September 9, 2026. She was married to John Beckley, the outside linebackers coach for the University of Tulsa’s football team. At the time of her death, the couple was expecting their first daughter, whom they planned to name Sawyer.

According to Tulsa head coach Tre Lamb, Kayla had been exercising at home when the tragedy occurred. About 10 minutes into her workout, she was found unresponsive.

Emergency responders were called, but Kayla could not be saved. Her death was later publicly announced by Coach Lamb on September 15, as the Tulsa football program and coaching staff began grieving alongside John and their families.

The circumstances surrounding Kayla’s death remain under investigation. The Tulsa County Medical Examiner’s Office has not released an official cause of death, saying additional testing is required before the report can be completed. Officials indicated that the final report could take approximately three to six months.

As a result, there is currently no confirmed medical explanation for Kayla’s death, and no specific condition should be identified as the cause until the Medical Examiner releases its findings.

The tragedy has deeply affected the Tulsa football program. Lamb spoke publicly about the impact Kayla’s death had on John, the coaching staff and their families. In her memory, Tulsa players planned to wear memorial stickers on their helmets during their next game.

Kayla was also remembered by Binghamton University, where she made a significant mark during her collegiate soccer career. She served as captain of the women’s soccer team and scored 22 goals across the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

Her standout 2017 campaign earned her the America East Striker of the Year award, highlighting her impact on the field and her leadership within the program.

For those who knew Kayla, her death represents the loss of a wife, daughter, teammate, coach’s family member and soon-to-be mother whose life ended unexpectedly. As her loved ones grieve, the official circumstances surrounding her death remain unanswered pending the Medical Examiner’s final report.

Source: NY Post