Fisk University Ends Trailblazing HBCU Gymnastics Program in 2026
Fisk University, long known for breaking new ground in collegiate athletics, just announced it will end its trailblazing gymnastics program after the 2025-2026 academic year. This was the first gymnastics program at a historically Black college or university (HBCU), and even though its run was short, it made a real impact.
The university pointed to scheduling issues, a lack of conference support, and limited resources as the main reasons for the decision. Since its launch in 2023, the team made history, produced national champions, and sparked serious conversations about representation and sustainability in sports.
The Rise of Fisk University Gymnastics
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Fisk created its gymnastics team in January 2023, marking a big moment in NCAA history. It became the first HBCU with a collegiate gymnastics team, instantly standing out in a sport that’s struggled with diversity.
The program grabbed national attention for both breaking barriers and its competitive performances. Founding head coach Corrine Tarver led a group of talented athletes from all over the country.
In just three seasons, Fisk gymnasts reached some incredible milestones. Their rapid rise showed what dedication from athletes, coaches, and supporters can do.
Historic Achievements in a Short Time
One standout story is gymnast Morgan Price. She transferred from Fisk to the University of Arkansas, then made history in 2024 as the first athlete from an HBCU to win the all-around title at the USA Gymnastics Women’s Collegiate National Championships.
In 2025, Price defended her title and swept the individual apparatus events. That’s a serious accomplishment by any measure.
Her teammates—Allie Berkley, Aliyah Reed-Hammon, and Ciniah Rosby—earned first-team All-American honors for 2025. These achievements raised Fisk’s profile and showed the deep talent within the program.
The Challenges Behind the Scenes
Despite the success, Fisk gymnastics always had huge obstacles. The HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) doesn’t sanction the sport, so the team struggled to schedule regular competitions and build a strong recruiting pipeline.
Without a conference, they had to work harder to find meets, often traveling far and spending more. Resource limitations made things even tougher—training facilities, travel budgets, and staffing all stretched the program thin.
Coach Tarver’s departure midseason in 2024, reportedly for a new job on the East Coast, added to the instability. It’s tough for new programs to keep their footing in situations like this.
Impact on the HBCU Gymnastics Landscape
Fisk’s decision comes at a time when HBCU gymnastics is still just getting started. Talladega College closed its team after only one season, leaving barely a handful of programs left.
Wilberforce University launched its team in 2025, making it just the third HBCU to offer gymnastics. The fragility of these programs really shows how much strategic planning and funding matter if HBCU gymnastics is going to survive.
Fisk’s Decision and Future Focus
Fisk Athletics Director Valencia Jordan said the choice to end gymnastics wasn’t easy. The university reviewed how gymnastics fit into its bigger athletic picture and decided to focus on conference-affiliated sports.
Jordan expressed pride in what the team accomplished and gratitude for everyone involved. Fisk plans to support its current gymnasts and staff through the transition, helping them find new opportunities.
The 2025-2026 season will be a celebration of what the program achieved, giving athletes a final chance to shine.
A Blueprint for Representation
The end of the program stings, but its legacy is clear. For many young Black girls, seeing gymnasts who looked like them competing at the college level was life-changing.
Fisk gymnastics showed that vision and commitment can break barriers. That story will keep inspiring future athletes and advocates for diversity in the sport.
Lessons Learned for Future Programs
Fisk gymnastics’ rise and fall offers a lot to think about for other schools considering similar programs. Sustainability has to be central, with real attention to funding, conference alignment, and athlete support.
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Here are a few takeaways from Fisk’s experience:
- Secure conference affiliation to make regular competition and recruitment possible.
- Invest in infrastructure—training facilities and travel resources matter for athletes.
- Develop long-term funding strategies instead of relying on one-time donations.
- Prioritize athlete development both on and off the mat for a lasting impact.
The Broader Conversation About Equity in Sports
Fisk’s journey has sparked bigger questions about equity in athletics. Representation matters, sure, but so does the ability to keep programs alive for underrepresented athletes.
As more schools look at adding gymnastics or other nontraditional sports, Fisk’s story is both inspiring and a bit of a warning. The passion around the program shows what’s possible, but the obstacles highlight how much work is left.
Looking Ahead: The Final Season
The 2025-2026 season will be a farewell tour for Fisk gymnastics, giving fans and supporters a chance to celebrate everything the team’s accomplished. Expect some emotional meets, tributes to past athletes, and plenty of pride in how the program changed the face of collegiate gymnastics.
For the athletes, it’s a chance to compete with pride and close this chapter on a high note. Even when the mats at Fisk are rolled up for the last time, the impact of this team will stick around.
They leave behind more than medals—they leave a vision of what sports can be when diversity and excellence come together. (source)
A Lasting Legacy
Fisk University’s gymnastics team may be ending. Still, its influence will keep shaping the sport for years to come.
The team inspired a new generation of gymnasts. It also pushed institutions to think differently about representation.
Fisk set a precedent that just won’t disappear. Maybe other schools will pick up where Fisk left off and build programs that are both inclusive and sustainable.
That trail they blazed? It’s still open for those who want to follow.