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Stanford to retire the late Katie Meyer's soccer jersey No. 19
In a historic program first, the undefeated and top-ranked Stanford women's soccer team will officially retire jersey No. 19 tonight to honor former team captain Katie Meyer.
PALO ALTO, Calif. - In a historic program first, the undefeated and top-ranked Stanford women's soccer team will officially retire jersey No. 19 tonight to honor former team captain Katie Meyer.
Retiring No. 19 jersey
What we know:
The ceremony will take place on Thursday during the team's Mental Health Awareness Night match against USC. It marks the first time in Stanford women's soccer history that a player's number has been retired.
No player has worn No. 19 since 2022, the year Meyer died by suicide after facing threats from school administration when she retaliated against a football player to stand up for a teammate.
Katie's Save
Big picture view:
: Stanford Cardinal goalkeeper Katie Meyer #19 celebrates during a game between UNC and Stanford Soccer W at Avaya Satdium on December 8, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by John Todd/ISI Photos/Getty Images).
Following her death, Meyer's parents founded "Katie's Save," a foundation that successfully helped pass legislation in California requiring public universities to offer support to students facing administrative disciplinary action.
The Meyer family also settled a lawsuit with Stanford University, with terms that included retiring her jersey—an idea originally proposed by her head coach.
‘Amazing human being’
What they're saying:
"She was an amazing human being, she brought so much energy and enthusiasm, she was one of our captains, a key leader for our group," said Paul Ratcliffe, Stanford's women's soccer coach for 24 years. "She helped us win the 2019 national championship, so she's one of my all time favorites and I'm just so proud that we can remember her by retiring her jersey."
Meyer helped lead Stanford to the 2019 College Cup title, delivering crucial saves during a penalty shootout in the championship game, which Coach Ratcliffe called one of the best games he has ever coached.
While offering ongoing support to the Meyer family, Ratcliffe noted that her parents are now working to take their state legislation to the national level in Congress.
If you are struggling, you can call 988, the nation's Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
The Source: The information for this story comes from Stanford University, Katie Meyer's parents, and Paul Ratcliffe, Stanford's women's soccer coach for 24 years.