A somber note has settled over the Central Washington University community after the sudden death of former Wildcats soccer defender Bryn Waite, who was found unresponsive on the sands of La Jolla Shores in San Diego and later pronounced dead.
Waite, who wore the Wildcats jersey during the 2018 and 2019 seasons, contributed 723 minutes on the field and recorded two assists, leaving a modest yet meaningful imprint on the program.
Beyond her athletic endeavors, she graduated from CWU in 2021 with a degree in Psychology, maintaining a 3.91 GPA that earned her a spot on the 2019 Great Northwest Athletic Conference All‑Academic Team.
Her academic promise was evident long before college; at Service High School in Anchorage, Alaska, she ranked in the top ten percent of her class, earned two National Honor Society memberships, and cultivated a reputation for diligence and leadership.
Dr. Dennis Francois, CWU’s Director of Athletics, expressed deep condolences, emphasizing that Waite’s impact resonated as much in the classroom as on the pitch, and that her memory will endure within the university’s fabric.
A Legacy That Transcends Sport
Friends, teammates, and mentors recall a player whose work ethic and humility inspired peers, while her scholarly focus demonstrated that excellence can be pursued on multiple fronts.
The university will honor her memory through upcoming tributes, ensuring that future generations of student‑athletes understand the value of integrating academic rigor with athletic commitment.