Fisk University to Conclude Trailblazing Women’s Gymnastics Program in 2026
In a decision that’s sent ripples through collegiate sports, Fisk University says it’ll end its historic women’s gymnastics program after the 2026 season. This move closes a groundbreaking chapter in HBCU athletics, since Fisk became the first historically Black college or university to field a women’s artistic gymnastics team in 2023.
The program’s short lifespan brought record-breaking performances and national attention. But it also faced big operational challenges that led to its discontinuation.
Extensive travel demands and the lack of a supportive conference structure made things tough. These struggles point to the broader difficulties that smaller schools face when they try non-traditional sports.
Now, as Fisk shifts focus back to its conference-affiliated teams, the gymnastics community is left reflecting on the legacy Fisk leaves behind. What does this mean for the future of gymnastics at HBCUs?
The Rise of a Historic Program
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When Fisk University launched its women’s artistic gymnastics team in 2023, it made collegiate sports history. This wasn’t just another addition to the athletic department—it was a trailblazing moment for historically Black colleges and universities.
For decades, gymnastics had been missing from HBCU sports rosters. Many talented athletes had no pathway to compete at an HBCU level.
Fisk’s bold move changed that narrative. It inspired hope and real excitement throughout the gymnastics community.
The team quickly made headlines for its competitive spirit and skill. Leading the way was Morgan Price, a three-time All-American who became the first HBCU gymnast to score a perfect 10.
Her performances brought national attention to the program. She showed that elite gymnastics could thrive at an HBCU.
Fisk’s initiative even inspired other schools, like Talladega College, to start their own women’s gymnastics programs.
Challenges from the Start
Despite all the excitement, Fisk’s gymnastics program ran into challenges from day one. Unlike the university’s other athletic teams, the gymnastics squad competed outside the traditional HBCU conference structure.
They didn’t have built-in scheduling, shared travel costs, or regional competition like conference-affiliated sports. Instead, Fisk’s gymnasts had to travel all over the country just to find meets, which created both financial and logistical headaches.
These travel demands stretched the athletic department’s budget. They also put a lot of stress on student-athletes who were trying to balance academics with long competition schedules.
Without nearby rivals or a supportive conference network, sustaining the program was always an uphill battle. Athletic Director Valencia Jordan said the university decided to focus on strengthening its conference-affiliated teams, where resources could be used more effectively.
The Departure of a Star Athlete
Another big challenge was the departure of its most celebrated athlete, Morgan Price. After three standout seasons with Fisk, Price transferred to the University of Arkansas to compete alongside her sister, Frankie.
Her exit marked the end of an era for the team. It left a big gap in both performance and leadership.
Price’s move is a reminder of how competitive collegiate athletics can be. Athletes often look for programs with more stability, exposure, and higher levels of competition.
Her time at Fisk was brief, but her impact was massive—not just for the program, but for the visibility of HBCU gymnastics nationwide.
Inspiration and Short-Lived Expansion
Fisk’s pioneering leap into gymnastics inspired other HBCUs to think about adding similar programs. Talladega College in Alabama launched its own women’s gymnastics team in 2024, hoping to keep the momentum going.
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But financial constraints forced Talladega to shut down its program after just one season. That really shows how steep the costs and logistical challenges are for smaller schools trying to sustain gymnastics.
Why Conference Structure Matters
One of the key factors in Fisk’s decision was the lack of a conference structure for gymnastics within the HBCU athletic system. Conference affiliation offers a handful of benefits, like:
- Shared travel costs that ease the financial load
- Consistent scheduling that makes logistics simpler
- Regional competition that builds rivalries and draws in fans
- Stronger recruiting pipelines for attracting top talent
Without these advantages, Fisk’s gymnastics program was left isolated. They were competing in a landscape built for bigger, better-funded schools.
The lack of nearby competitors meant constant travel. That drained resources that could have gone to other sports.
The Financial Reality
Gymnastics is expensive. It needs specialized equipment, dedicated facilities, and a skilled coaching staff.
For a small university like Fisk, those costs add up fast—especially with all the travel. The program brought prestige and national recognition, but the financial burden just wasn’t sustainable over time.
Athletic Director Jordan said the university is proud of what the team accomplished. But at the end of the day, they have to make choices that benefit the whole athletic department.
Legacy and Impact
Even though the program ends after the 2026 season, Fisk’s women’s gymnastics team has already left a mark. It broke barriers, inspired young gymnasts of color, and proved HBCUs can compete at the highest levels in sports outside their usual offerings.
The program’s existence, however brief, has sparked important conversations about diversity and inclusion in gymnastics—a sport that’s historically been dominated by predominantly white institutions.
For the athletes who wore Fisk’s colors, it was about more than just competition. It was about representation, breaking stereotypes, and showing future generations what’s possible.
Many of these gymnasts will carry that spirit into whatever comes next, whether in athletics or beyond.
Looking Ahead
As Fisk moves away from gymnastics, the university says it’ll support its current athletes and staff through the transition. This includes help with transfers, academic guidance, and career planning.
Hopefully, these gymnasts will continue to thrive—whether they stay at Fisk in other roles or move on to new programs. The end of the program is bittersweet, but maybe it’s a lesson for other small schools considering similar ventures. Success in non-traditional sports takes more than talent and vision; it needs sustainable infrastructure and financial planning, too.
Conclusion
Fisk University’s women’s gymnastics program started with bold ambition and made some remarkable strides. The team’s launch in 2023 felt historic, especially for HBCUs.
They became a symbol of progress and possibility. But running a program outside a conference turned out to be a huge challenge.
Eventually, the university decided to shift its resources elsewhere. It wasn’t an easy decision, and honestly, it stings for anyone who rooted for them.
Still, Fisk’s pioneering role in HBCU gymnastics won’t just fade away. Their effort sparked conversations and inspired folks to imagine more athletic opportunities for underrepresented groups.
If you want the full news report, you can check it out here.