On September 11th, 2001, Mari-Rae Sopper was on her way to California, ready to start her job as Head Coach of the women's team at UC Santa Barbara. Sopper, a former standout at Iowa State, was known as "ISUFan" on the fromer College Gymnastics Board. She had given up her job as a Navy JAG Corp lawyer to pursue her dream, and to help save the cancelled program at UCSB. She lost her life during the events of that fateful day, as the plane she was on was deliberately crashed into the Pentagon. We pause to remember her spirit and dedication to the sport, and her inspiring effort to pursue her dreams, as well as the others who lost their lives that fateful day.
To learn more about her:
Link: Sports Illustrated Vault (Archive)
Link: Wikipedia
Link: Pentagon Memorial Entry
Book: "Within Her Grasp". Both print and e-book versions are available. Kindle Unlimited subscribers can get it for free.
Never forget.