Forever in our hearts' | Former Rice athlete dies at the age of 19
Claire Tracy played for the Rice University soccer team. She was 19 when she was found dead at off-campus apartments.
Author: KHOU 11 Staff
Published: 4:25 PM CST December 9, 2025
Updated: 5:13 PM CST December 9, 2025
HOUSTON — The Rice University community is mourning the loss of Claire Tracy, a second-year undergraduate student and former athlete who passed away on Sunday, according to a message from Bridget K. Gorman, Dean of Undergraduates and Trustee Professor of Sociology. According to media reports, she was only 19.
At this point, a cause of death hasn't been released. According to Rice, she died at an off-campus apartment complex two blocks from the school.
Tracy joined Rice in fall 2024 from Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, and was a member of Wiess College. She was a former member of the Rice soccer team and was widely recognized for her athletic and academic achievements.
Before arriving at Rice, Tracy had an extraordinary athletic career at Brookfield Academy in Wisconsin. She led the school to four regional soccer championships, three conference championships, a state semifinalist finish in 2023, and a state championship in 2021. Over her high school career, she scored 118 goals and recorded 63 assists, totaling 299 points, and ranked fifth in points across the state in 2023 with 115 points, earning 43 goals and 25 assists that season alone. She was named Midwest Classic Conference Player of the Year, was a four-time conference player of the year, and a four-time first-team all-conference honoree.
In addition to soccer, Tracy excelled in cross country, qualifying for state in 2021, winning the conference championship in 2022, and earning First Team All-Conference honors in 2022. Academically, she was equally accomplished, earning a spot on the academic honor roll all four years, graduating eighth in her class, and receiving an Academic All-State nomination in 2024.
At Rice, she was pursuing a major in finance and was described by friends and faculty as having a bright spirit and close friendships.
“Our hearts go out to Claire’s family and all who knew her and are grieving her loss,” Gorman said in her message.
Gorman encouraged anyone affected to seek support, mentioning the Wellbeing Office and Rice Counseling Center for students, the Employee Assistance Program for staff, and the Joint Campus Ministers for those seeking comfort.
Rice Soccer Coach Brian Lee posted this message on the team’s social media accounts.
