Fisk University Ends Trailblazing HBCU Gymnastics Program in 2026

Fisk University’s decision to end its historic gymnastics program after the 2025–2026 academic year closes one of the most culturally significant chapters in collegiate sports. As the first historically Black college or university to field a competitive gymnastics team, Fisk’s program became a beacon of representation in a sport where diversity has long lagged.

While the program’s lifespan was short, its impact felt profound. It raised tough questions about sustainability, conference support, and what it really takes to keep trailblazing athletic initiatives going.

The End of a Groundbreaking Era at Fisk University

Fisk University announced it will discontinue its gymnastics program following the 2025–2026 season. The school cited structural and logistical challenges that just proved too tough to overcome.

According to the university, administrators made the decision after reviewing how gymnastics fit with Fisk’s broader athletic goals and conference affiliations. It wasn’t an easy call, but the writing was on the wall.

Because gymnastics isn’t sanctioned by the HBCU Athletic Conference, the program kept running into hurdles scheduling competitions and building a steady recruiting pipeline. These issues, along with limited institutional and conference-level support, made long-term sustainability feel more and more out of reach.

Conference Alignment and Scheduling Challenges

The lack of conference sponsorship stood out as one of the biggest obstacles. Without a governing conference, Fisk’s gymnastics team had to arrange meets on its own, handle long travel, and compete mostly against predominantly white institutions with much deeper resources.

This situation put real strain on athletes and staff, especially when they tried to balance academics, training, and travel. Over time, these challenges pushed the university to focus on conference-affiliated sports instead.

A Program That Changed the Narrative in Gymnastics

Launched in January 2023, Fisk gymnastics was never just another varsity sport. It marked a cultural milestone, giving Black female athletes visibility in a discipline where they’ve long been underrepresented.

For many young gymnasts around the country, seeing athletes who looked like them compete at the collegiate level was transformative. The program became a symbol of possibility, shaking up old norms in the sport.

National Impact Beyond the Mat

Even with limited resources, Fisk gymnastics made waves on the national stage. The team’s performances grabbed attention for both their competitive quality and the broader cultural significance.

Standout gymnast Morgan Price played a huge part in cementing Fisk’s place in gymnastics history.

Morgan Price and Competitive Excellence

Morgan Price became the face of Fisk gymnastics, delivering performances that shattered expectations. In 2024, she became the first athlete from an HBCU to win the all-around title at the USA Gymnastics Women’s Collegiate National Championships.

She defended her title in 2025 and swept individual apparatus events, proving the program’s competitive legitimacy on a national scale.

All-American Recognition

Price wasn’t the only one earning national honors. During the 2025 season, several Fisk gymnasts showed depth and consistency, resulting in multiple All-American honors.

• Morgan Price – First-team All-American
• Allie Berkley – First-team All-American
• Aliyah Reed-Hammon – First-team All-American
• Ciniah Rosby – First-team All-American

Behind the Scenes: Resource Limitations and Leadership Changes

The on-floor results impressed, but behind the scenes, things looked a lot tougher. Reports pointed to persistent resource constraints with training facilities, staffing, and travel budgets.

These limitations are common for new sports at smaller schools, but they hit even harder for programs outside traditional conference structures.

Coaching Transition and Stability Issues

Adding to the uncertainty, founding head coach Corrine Tarver left midseason in 2024. She’s expected to take a new position on the East Coast.

Leadership changes during a program’s early years can disrupt momentum and recruiting. Still, athletes and staff kept competing at a high level—pretty remarkable, honestly.

The Fragile State of HBCU Gymnastics

Fisk’s decision highlights the broader fragility of gymnastics programs at HBCUs. Only a handful of these programs have launched, and even fewer have lasted beyond their first few seasons.