Stanford University and the family of Katie Meyer, a star soccer player who tragically died by suicide in 2022, have reached an agreement in a wrongful death lawsuit, as announced in a joint statement from both parties on Monday.
Katie Meyer, who was the team captain and goalkeeper for the Stanford women’s soccer team, was found deceased in her campus room on February 28, 2022. Following her death, her family initiated a wrongful death lawsuit in November 2022 in Santa Clara County, attributing their daughter’s distress to disciplinary proceedings related to an incident involving a spilled coffee and a football player accused of sexually assaulting a teammate.
The resolution of the lawsuit includes several initiatives aimed at honoring Meyer’s legacy. In the statement, both Stanford and the Meyer family expressed their satisfaction with the agreement, which they believe will positively impact current and future students. “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,” the statement reflected.
As part of the agreement, a collaborative mental health initiative will be established for student-athletes at Stanford’s Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, which focuses on brain and behavior research. Additionally, the annual Katie Meyer Leadership Award will be instituted to recognize a student-athlete, and Meyer’s jersey number, #19, will be retired to honor her significant contributions to Stanford women’s soccer. The settlement further includes the implementation of Katie Meyer’s Law, which allows students undergoing disciplinary processes at public colleges and universities to receive support from an advisor of their choice. This law was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2024.
The lawsuit articulated that Meyer received a notice about a “Violation of the Fundamental Standard” on the evening of her death, an action that could jeopardize her graduation. She reportedly expressed her shock and emotional turmoil in an email response, later suffering an acute stress reaction that the lawsuit alleges contributed to her suicide.
In the aftermath of Meyer’s passing, Stanford alumni criticized the university for allegedly failing to adequately support students facing disciplinary challenges, describing the process as overly harsh. Notably, a proposal dating back to 2012 suggested providing free legal assistance to students but was not acted upon by the university. Meyer’s tragic death marked the fourth suicide at Stanford within a span of 13 months.
A talented athlete, Meyer led the Cardinal team to a national championship victory in 2019 and gained widespread attention for her charismatic on-field presence. She also excelled academically, earning recognition on the PAC-12 academic honor roll and captaining her team twice.
This collective effort between Stanford and the Meyer family aims to provide a supportive environment for students, with hopes that the initiatives will foster resilience and mental health within the student-athlete community.
For anyone struggling with feelings of depression or suicidal thoughts, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7, offering free support and resources. You can contact them by calling or texting 988 or by visiting the 988lifeline.org website for chat support.