Mari-Rae Sopper

Mari-Rae Sopper (June 19, 1966 – September 11, 2001) was an American gymnastics coach and Judge Advocate General's Corps lawyer. She was a victim of the September 11 attacks as a passenger on hijacked American Airlines Flight 77, which crashed into the Pentagon.

Early life and education Sopper was born on June 19, 1966, to Marion and Bill Sopper. She was a native of Inverness, Illinois. She attended William Fremd High School in Palatine, Illinois, and was a stand-out gymnast.

Sopper enrolled at Iowa State University and walked-on to their women's gymnastics team as a freshman. She was placed on scholarship for her final three years, culminating in being named "Most Valuable Gymnast" as a senior.

Sopper went on to attend the University of North Texas, where she graduated with a master's degree in athletic administration in 1993. She worked for four years in this capacity before leaving for Schmeltzer Aptaker & Shepard. UC Santa Barbara, just days earlier on August 10, had announced the immediate discontinuation of the program, but it was re-instated on August 13. Despite a pay-cut of over 70%, a salary of $98,000 as a lawyer to her new $28,000 women's gymnastics salary, and UC Santa Barbara officials stating the program's termination in a year, Sopper agreed to take the job.

Death and legacy

On September 11, 2001, Sopper was aboard American Airlines Flight 77 en route to Los Angeles International Airport to begin her new career; however, the plane was hijacked and deliberately crashed into The Pentagon. Also killed while traveling with her was her pet cat Sammy, the only animal killed onboard any of the hijacked planes. Her remains were later recovered and identified. She was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. The team flew Sopper's mother and step-father in for a match at the university's expense. The effort was ultimately unsuccessful after UC Santa Barbara set a $4 million goal while the Fund offered $75,000 and UCSB cut the program. The Fund ultimately went to help other gymnastics programs in need.