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(PHOTO: David Butler II - USA TODAY Sports) Over the weekend, the New England Patriots announced that Tracy Sormanti, the team’s longtime cheerleading director, passed away on Friday, Dec. 4, after a three-year battle with multiple myeloma.
Sormanti, just 58 years old, was in her 32nd season of service with the Patriots organization.
“We are grieving the loss of a beloved member of our family today,” said Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft. “Tracy Sormanti was one of my first hires after I bought the team, and after nearly three decades, I can confidently say that there was no one more dedicated to her job or caring and compassionate about those she coached. Like all great coaches, she was meticulous in her preparation and brought the best out of her squads. We have had the good fortune of having some of the greatest coaches in NFL history grace our sidelines, but none did so with such dignity and grace like Tracy. She earned my utmost respect and admiration for the way her teams always performed, not just on the sidelines, but more importantly as Patriots goodwill ambassadors in our New England communities and on the many Patriots USO military tours she coordinated around the world. She truly loved this organization and we loved her. Her presence will be greatly missed, but she will never be forgotten.”
According to the Patriots, Sormanti first joined the organization in 1983 as a cheerleader. She was a member of the Patriots cheerleading squad from 1983-84 and again from 1991-93, concluding her cheerleading career by representing the Patriots at the 1993 Pro Bowl. Shortly after Kraft bought the team in 1994, he named Sormanti the cheerleading director.
During her career, Sormanti led the Patriots’ cheerleading squads at 10 Super Bowl appearances, visited 30 countries, and participated in thousands of community events. She also helped raise $400,000 for cancer research in a partnership with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through clinics she hosted.
In 2019, when asked what she hoped her legacy would be, Sormanti remarked: “That I’ve made a difference in the lives of the ladies and men who were on this team… and that they’ve learned some valuable life lesson because of a coach that they had in their life.”
From everyone at PatsFans, our thoughts and condolences with the Sormanti family during this difficult time.
We were lucky to have the greatest cheerleading coach on our sidelines for 27 years, making a lasting impact on our organization and our community.
Forever part of our Patriots family. pic.twitter.com/g8U89RjOhH
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 6, 2020
Other members of the franchise also shared their personal reactions and tributes to Sormanti.
To my coach Tracy, words cannot explain how grateful we were for you. The NFL was so lucky to have you for 30+ years. We know you fought your hardest & the sidelines will never be the same without you. Forever in our hearts ❤️💙 Love Always, Your Patriots Cheerleaders 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/4k6q67aCop
— Daisy 🌸 (@daesciademor) December 5, 2020
I’m literally in shock! My former teammate & long time Patriots Cheerleading Coach passed away. She was an amazing human who had a love for life, her family, friends, animals, especially her beloved rescued cats and her Patriots & their cheerleaders. R.I.P. sweet Tracy. 😪🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/n7t4NIcR6J
— Nicole Page (@NicolePage0127) December 5, 2020
The @Patriots cheerleader family has suffered an incredible loss. Tracy changed the lives of every one of us she hand picked to be a part of her squad and her family. Our lives were forever changed because of who she was ♥️🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/gfipEBwXY8
— Jessica Anderson (@MrsJAnderson19) December 5, 2020
My wife and I knew Tracy for 25 years. As wonderful a person as you’ll ever meet. Our condolences to the family. RIP Tracy. @Patriots
Patriots Saddened to Announce the Passing of Cheerleading Director Tracy Sormanti https://t.co/Y4gIXyYoWi
— Dan Roche (@RochieWBZ) December 5, 2020
Bill Belichick says he has a “heavy heart” today as he speaks on the passing of longtime Patriots cheerleading director Tracy Sormanti. pic.twitter.com/xguHCEcaSu
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) December 7, 2020
The truest of professionals. This breaks our hearts. I’ve known Tracy since our early days here in New England. She did wonders with the organization over the years as everything grew. A perfectionist, A very, very sad day https://t.co/hBVKKbBSCf
— scottzolak 🏈 (@scottzolak) December 6, 2020
RIP Tracy. A True Legend, Warrior and Fighter. I Pray for Peace and send Love to the Sormanti Family!
— JB (@NVBentley33) December 7, 2020
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