Former Binghamton University soccer standout Kayla Saager-Beckley died unexpectedly at age 30 while pregnant with her and husband John Beckley’s first child. Tulsa head football coach Tre Lamb said the team will commemorate her with a helmet sticker at its game this week.

Saager-Beckley, an East Islip native and former standout Division I player, died last Wednesday. She had recently married Beckley, who joined the Tulsa coaching staff in 2025 as outside linebackers coach.

Lamb said her death occurred around 7 a.m. He shared details about the circumstances during a press conference Monday while discussing the difficult week for Beckley, the staff, and their families.

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

The coach described the emotional toll on those around the couple. “It’s just been a really hard week for him, for us as a staff, our coach’s wives.”

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

Lamb said the staff had gathered to remember Saager-Beckley. “It’s been tough on our staff. We had a memorial for her last night.”

Image Credit: Kayla Saager-Beckley / Facebook

“We just ask that you please pray for the Saager family, the Beckley family. We’re going to honor her with a helmet sticker this week at our game, and she’s definitely in our thoughts and prayers.”

Binghamton University announced Saager-Beckley’s death last Thursday in a news release. The university did not list a cause of death.

During two seasons with Binghamton, Saager-Beckley scored 22 goals and established herself as one of the program’s most dangerous offensive players. The university described her as “one of the most feared strikers” ever to wear a Bearcats jersey.

Saager-Beckley served as team captain during her time at the university in upstate New York. She graduated in 2019 after twice earning all region recognition and being named the 2017 America East Striker of the Year.

“Binghamton women’s soccer is profoundly saddened by the passing of Kayla Saager-Beckley,” head coach Neel Bhattacharjee said in a statement.

“Kayla was a dangerous and dynamic forward with a true gift for finding the back of the net, and her contributions helped elevate the competitiveness and stature of our program. To this day we stand on her shoulders.”

Image Credit: Kayla Saager-Beckley / Facebook

Bhattacharjee also remembered Saager-Beckley for the qualities she displayed away from soccer. “Beyond the field, she was known for her big heart and her deep love of family.”

“We are devastated by this loss and send our heartfelt sympathy and support to her parents Ron and Noranne and her husband John. Kayla, you are forever and always a Bearcat.”

“May you rest in peace.”

.@TulsaFootball head coach @CoachTreLamb9 opened his weekly press conference this afternoon by taking a moment to remember Kayla, the wife of outside linebackers coach John Beckley. Kayla passed away suddenly on Wednesday. The team will honor her with a helmet sticker. #ReignCane pic.twitter.com/NvCQCHxO2y

— Scott Pfeil (@scottpfeil) September 14, 2026

After her Binghamton career, Saager-Beckley played professional soccer overseas in the Czech Republic. She later spent four years at Troy University in Alabama as an assistant coach.

More recently, Saager-Beckley entered college soccer scouting and recruiting. She moved to Tulsa with Beckley after he became part of the university’s football coaching staff in 2025.

Tulsa defeated Sam Houston over the weekend, improving its record to 2-0. Yet Lamb opened his weekly press conference by focusing on Saager-Beckley, the loss confronting her family, and the team’s plan to honor her memory.