Grief on the 50-yard line — Trinity football coach loses daughter in Texas flood, and a quiet campus falls to its knees. She wasn’t just the coach’s daughter — she was the heart of every game-day hug, every halftime prayer. When 8-year-old Kellyanne Lytal’s name was added to the list of victims from the Guadalupe River flood, something shifted at Trinity University. The weight of silence now hangs heavy in locker rooms and classrooms alike. In her honor, a memorial foundation is rising — not just to remember her, but to carry forward the joy and kindness she left behind. What did the players do when Coach Lytal returned to practice — and what message did he leave on the field that day? The answer has left even rival schools in tears

Trinity University mourns loss of football coach’s daughter after Guadalupe River flooding

SAN ANTONIO – Trinity University is mourning the loss of Kellyanne Lytal, the young daughter of Wade Lytal, offensive coordinator for the Trinity football team.

Kellyanne was confirmed deceased following the catastrophic flooding along the Guadalupe River at Camp Mystic last week.

In a message shared with the campus community, university officials expressed their deep sorrow and support for the Lytal family during this devastating time.

“Our entire community grieves with the Lytal family, to whom we extend our deepest sympathies and unwavering support,” the statement read. “We know this loss will be felt across our campus and beyond.”

In memory of Kellyanne, the Lytal family has established the Kellyanne Elizabeth Lytal Memorial Foundation, which will support community efforts and charitable causes that were meaningful to her. More information about the foundation can be found here.