The light of Katie Meyer shines on
Cassandra Chavarria/Prowler
Hayden Meixner/Prowler
From the fierceness she showed as goalkeeper and team captain on Stanford’s Women’s soccer team to her welcoming, kind presence off the field, Katie Meyer, a senior at Stanford University, excelled in all aspects of her life. On March 1, the world was faced with the tragedy of her death after she took her own life in her on-campus residence.
The Meyer family and hundreds of teammates, neighbors, peers and friends gathered on the George Hurley Field at NPHS on March 12 for a candlelit vigil in her memory, recounting some of their favorite memories and experiences.
Each story told was just a small part of the lasting impact Katie Meyer made on the world. Gina Meyer, her mother, recalled the encouragement and support she always gave others. “I know that she wasn’t only my bright spark, but obviously seemed to touch everyone she met. Her energy and her light was truly infectious. I know she is looking down on all of us with a huge smile, and will always be around us guiding us and watching over us. And I know she will always be rooting for you guys, all of you,” she said.
Katie Meyer discovered her love for soccer as a goalkeeper early on. Her father, Steve Meyer, spoke of her constant drive as he recalled a sweet moment when kicking the ball around with an 8-year-old Katie Meyer. “I had a little, like terrible moment as a dad where I kicked it, but I kicked it a little too hard at my little Katie and it hit her in the chest and it knocked her down. And I’m like, ‘Oh my god, Gina is gonna be so mad at me.’ But Katie gets up and goes, ‘Is that all you got?’” he said.
Not only did she excel on the field, Katie Meyer also worked to foster a love for the sport in others. Tim Ward, Pepperdine head coach and Los Angeles Football Club coach, was a colleague of hers when she coached for girls’ soccer and remembers the energy she brought to practice each day and the way the girls looked up to her. “It doesn’t take a genius to know when you are in the presence of someone different, someone special, someone with a light force so big, so strong, that not only does it illuminate the space they occupy, but also the spaces and the people around them. Katie was just that kind of force. She was that kind of life, God simply made her to shine brighter than most,” Ward said.
A close friend of Katie Meyer’s, Jonathon Deemer, always knew she was capable of achieving so much. “I remember thinking after that first day, then many times thereafter, this girl is going to change the world. And you know what? She did. Look around. Because at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter whether your memorial service is two months after your 22nd birthday or your 92nd,” Deemer said. “It’s an immeasurable loss both for her and for those whose lives she would have impacted that she won’t get to do more. But it’s impossible. She could not have been more. Life is not measured in dollars or championship rings or degrees, it’s measured in the impact that you have. And my god, look at the impact that she has had.”
Soccer fans often recall the hand gesture Katie Meyer made after blocking the penalty kick which won Stanford the national championship. Temi Bolodeoku, a friend of hers, recalled her hesitancy to recreate the gesture. Katie Meyer told Bolodeoku that the reason she disliked recreating the gesture was, “never looking backwards, always looking forwards. The past is in the history and the future is a gift. Katie always wanted to create new memories, she had amazing past memories and we will remember her legacy, but I think her life stands a legacy for us and comforts us today as we reflect on her life.”
Just a few weeks ago, Steve Meyer visited his daughter at Stanford to be a guest on her new podcast– she had insisted he be the first guest. “I jumped in my little blue Prius that has almost 300,000 miles on it and hit the 101 again and soon found myself with that beautiful face. She mostly interviewed me, but it ended up switching back and forth,” he said. “The last text I sent her was the next morning. . . I said, ‘I had the best time seeing you and just being with you. I hope you have an amazing day, I love you, Dad.’ and she texted back, ‘Aw, thanks for coming, I love you too.’ I’m blessed to be her dad.”
Without a doubt, Katie Meyer’s story does not end here– family and friends will ensure that her legacy lives on. “[Katie,] you wanted to make big, big changes in this world and I promise you we have more coming for you. You’re not done yet. We’re gonna make some changes. It was the greatest honor and privilege to be your mom. I look forward to the day that I can see you again and I can hold you and I can stroke your hair. Until then, we will move forward. We know you’re watching over us. I love you my angel, my baby,” Gina Meyer said.
