Fisk University Ends Historic Gymnastics Program After 2025 Season
Fisk University’s groundbreaking women’s gymnastics program—the first ever at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU)—is coming to an end after just three seasons.
This marks the close of a historic chapter in collegiate sports, one that mixed athletic excellence, cultural significance, and tough financial realities. According to a report from the Nashville Banner, Fisk officials pointed to financial challenges, conference misalignment, and recruiting struggles as the main reasons the 2026 season will be the program’s last.
The announcement surprised many, especially considering the team’s success and the national spotlight it brought to the Nashville-based school.
The Rise of Fisk Gymnastics: A Historic First for HBCUs
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When Fisk launched its women’s gymnastics program three years ago, it made history as the first HBCU to compete in the sport.
The team, known as the GymDogs, quickly became a symbol of representation and hope for young Black gymnasts across the country. In a sport long dominated by mostly white institutions, Fisk’s entry into gymnastics brought a new narrative—one grounded in diversity, pride, and grit.
The GymDogs weren’t just another team. They competed against NCAA Division I, II, and III programs, even though Fisk’s athletic department is part of the NAIA, which has a different setup and fewer resources.
That imbalance made every win feel even sweeter, showing that talent and heart can really push past institutional limits.
Breaking Barriers and Building Legacy
Fisk’s gymnastics program didn’t just show up—it stood out. In just a few years, the team delivered standout performances and brought home trophies that raised the university’s athletic profile.
The 2025 season wrapped up with a strong showing at the Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics National Invitation Championship, where seven team members qualified to compete individually.
The star was Morgan Price, who turned in one of the most dominant performances college gymnastics has seen.
Price won her second straight national all-around title and swept all four individual events—vault, balance beam, uneven bars, and floor exercise. That’s a rare feat.
Her perfect 10 on the uneven bars landed her among the top 35 gymnasts in the nation, regardless of division. For a program in just its third year, that’s pretty wild.
Morgan Price: The Face of Fisk Gymnastics
Morgan Price’s story is really the heart of Fisk’s gymnastics journey. She was a highly recruited gymnast from Texas and originally committed to the University of Arkansas, but then chose Fisk instead.
That decision was personal. She wanted to inspire young Black girls who rarely saw themselves in gymnastics. She became the face of the GymDogs, and honestly, a cultural icon in the HBCU world.
Her accolades tell the story: HBCU Sports Female Athlete of the Year (2024) and College Gymnastics News Women’s College Gymnast of the Year (2025). Price’s performances drew national buzz, and her leadership helped put the program on the map.
But her recent decision to transfer back to Arkansas for her senior year signaled a big shift for Fisk gymnastics.
The Challenge of Sustaining Excellence
Replacing someone like Price? Nearly impossible. She wasn’t just talented—she embodied the whole mission of the program.
Fisk’s 2025 roster had five seniors and a graduate student, which left the team with a thin bench for the next season. Recruiting new athletes, especially for a program outside the NCAA, is tough. Without a strong pipeline or conference support, keeping the team competitive started to look like a losing battle.
Fisk administrators pointed out that gymnastics isn’t a sanctioned sport within the HBCU Athletic Conference (HBUAC). That made scheduling meets and building recruiting networks a logistical and financial headache.
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So, the university made the tough call to wind down the program after the 2026 season.
Financial Realities and Institutional Priorities
The GymDogs gave Fisk some amazing athletic moments, but the financial side of running a gymnastics program at an NAIA school is rough. Gymnastics needs a lot of equipment and travel, which means big investments in facilities, coaches, and safety.
For a small private university like Fisk, those costs pile up fast—especially when the sport doesn’t fit with the main athletic conference.
Fisk’s athletic director, Valencia Jordan, said the decision came after a full review of the program’s sustainability and its fit with conference goals. The university wants to shift resources to its other varsity sports that compete in the HBUAC, building up programs with a clearer path to long-term success and more student participation.
Balancing Vision with Viability
Being the first HBCU to field a gymnastics team was bold. But being the only one? That came with a lot of challenges.
Without peer schools to share schedules, costs, or competition, Fisk had to carry the load alone. It’s hard not to wonder what might have been if other HBCUs had jumped in, too.
Looking Ahead: The Future of HBCU Gymnastics
Fisk’s decision raises some big questions about what comes next for gymnastics at HBCUs. Will other schools take up the mantle? Or will gymnastics stay an outlier in the HBCU sports world?
The GymDogs proved success is possible, but their closure shows just how much structural and financial support similar programs would need to survive somewhere else.
There’s still hope that the attention Fisk brought to the sport will encourage other HBCUs to try gymnastics or other less traditional sports. The representation Morgan Price and her teammates gave has already inspired a new generation of gymnasts who now see HBCUs as real athletic options.
A Legacy Beyond Medals
Fisk’s gymnastics program stands out for more than just its wins. It’s always been about identity, inclusion, and breaking barriers—way beyond scores and rankings.
The GymDogs proved that excellence isn’t limited by boundaries. Their story keeps inspiring athletes and schools, whether you’re a die-hard fan or just catching headlines.
Fisk now shifts its attention back to its conference sports, but the pride in the gymnastics team lingers. Their brief journey showed real courage and vision, and honestly, it’s hard not to feel moved by what they pulled off.
The GymDogs might be stepping away from competition, but their energy sticks around. Somewhere, there’s a young gymnast dreaming of making history at an HBCU—and that’s no small thing.