Spring Break
California coach loses life in attacks
By AMBER SHAW
- Page 1 of 1
Sopper, a former appellate attorney with the U.S. Navy, was pursuing her dream that Tuesday morning, traveling on American Airlines flight 77 to take a new job as the head coach of the University of California- Santa Barbara gymnastics program.
Accepting the challenge of reinstating the school's program, the former Iowa State most valuable player was to meet the team Saturday with high hopes and expectations for the upcoming season.
"Here is this girl, who all her life had considered coaching, and she was finally going to live her dream," Amy Pyle, Sopper's former gymnastics coach at Iowa State, told the Inverness Daily Herald. "Obviously, her dreams were cut short."
Sopper, well known for her beautifully choreographed floor routines, never had a chance to get the program back on its feet.
"I knew that (California) had reinstated its gymnastics program," said Georgia coach Suzanne Yoculan. "She was really ambitious -- accepting that challenge speaks highly of her."
Yet, in the aftermath of this horrible tragedy, the gymnastics world has come alive in support of Sopper.
Mike Jackey, the president of the College Coaches Association and personal friend of Sopper, sent word of Sopper's death to the nation's coaches, including Yoculan.
"This tragedy hits home by the way it's affecting all Americans," Yoculan said. "Everything has been turned upside down. It makes you realize that we're all so vulnerable. It's so sad for someone so young with so many dreams to have been taken away. (Sopper) had so much life, and she was very excited about her future."
As the world absorbs the reality of the tragedy, the gymnastics community is reaching out, setting up a memorial Web site for Sopper and starting the Mari-Rae Sopper Memorial Gymnastics Fund providing gymnastics' scholarships.
The Gym Dogs are doing their part to raise awareness about the tragedy.
In a letter sent to The Red & Black from Cliff Fritzinger, Gym Dog sophomore Cory's father, one Gym Dog parent expressed what the memorial fund could do for Santa Barbara's gymnastics program.
"We are trying to extend the memorial fund to save California's gymnastics program," said Cliff Fritzinger's letter.
"It seems the least we can do to honor he memory."
So, now the Gym Dogs, striving to achieve their dreams, will remember the hopes of Sopper.
"I wonder what the girls in California will do," said sophomore Cory
Fritzinger. "It's devastating and unfortunate. But, we have to keep
moving and practicing."
