Taylor Sawyer, a Merrimack College alumna and former volleyball player, will be on the field as a New England Patriots cheerleader during the 2026 Super Bowl on February 8. Sawyer graduated in 2023 with a degree in communication and media.
Sawyer described her transition from volleyball back to dance during her junior year at Merrimack. “I grew up dancing and this part of me just missed performing and being on stage, so I tried out for the Merrimack College Dance Team,” she said. “My first time going to Daytona Beach (for the NCA & NDA College National Championships) with the team was so special. After that trip, I really felt like I was where I was meant to be and doing what I was meant to do.”
She noted that after spending time away from dance, she had to relearn skills required for college-level performance. Her experiences at Duane Stadium and national competitions led her to audition for the Patriots Cheerleading Team shortly after graduation.
“I had never really done anything big like that and figured I’d give it a try,” Sawyer said about joining the Patriots cheerleaders. The process included submitting a video, attending an in-person audition, and participating in a two-week bootcamp. “It is so cool and such a dream, honestly.”
In addition to performing at games, Sawyer has taken part in promotional events with the team, including traveling to Denver for the AFC Championship and attending fan gatherings.
Reflecting on recent seasons, Sawyer remarked on the change between last year’s four-win season and this year’s Super Bowl appearance against the Seattle Seahawks in Santa Clara. “Gillette Stadium was so electric this season,” she said. “The fans are just so amazing and everyone is so excited.”
The cheerleading squad will participate in several events leading up to Sunday’s game in California, where they will debut a new routine during the Super Bowl.
