On Thursday night, Stanford’s women’s soccer team will face off against the University of Southern California in a match that doubles as a historic ceremony, as the university announces the retirement of former captain Katie Meyer’s jersey number 19.
A Historic Tribute on the Field
The retirement represents the first time a player’s jersey has been retired in Stanford women’s soccer history, underscoring how deeply Meyer’s influence resonated within the program and the sport at large.
Meyer was a pivotal figure during Stanford’s 2019 national championship run, delivering crucial saves in the penalty shootout that secured the title, and she served as team captain throughout her collegiate career, embodying leadership both on and off the pitch.
Meyer’s life was tragically cut short in 2022 when she died by suicide after facing intimidation from school administration for standing up to a teammate, a period during which her parents established the ‘Katie’s Save’ foundation to champion student support and legislative change.
Paul Ratcliffe, who has led Stanford’s women’s soccer program for 24 years, proposed the jersey retirement and described Meyer as ‘an amazing human being’ and a key leader, while her parents continue to push for the expansion of California’s mental health support legislation to a national level in Congress.