NCAA Gymnastics Faces Major Setback as Fisk University Program Ends
The collegiate gymnastics community is reeling after a wave of heartbreaking announcements about the future of HBCU gymnastics programs. Once celebrated as a groundbreaking chapter in NCAA sports history, Fisk University’s women’s gymnastics program—the first ever at a Historically Black College or University—now faces discontinuation after the 2026 season.
This decision follows financial strain, leadership changes, and the recent loss of another HBCU program at Talladega College. According to Essentially Sports, the closure highlights the ongoing challenges smaller institutions face in keeping competitive athletic programs alive, even after record-breaking moments.
The Rise of Fisk University’s Historic Gymnastics Program
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Fisk University launched its women’s artistic gymnastics team in February 2022, making history. Under coach and athletic director Corrinne Tarver, the Fisk Lady Gymdogs became the first intercollegiate gymnastics team at an HBCU.
Their debut at the Super 16 meet in Las Vegas in January 2023 kicked off a new era for both Fisk and collegiate gymnastics. Former gymnast Naimah Muhammad performed the team’s first routine, symbolizing the start of a legacy that sparked hope for young Black athletes everywhere.
In the 2025 season, the program soared to new heights. The Bulldogs defeated eleven opponents, won four straight meets, and even bested both NCAA Division I and II teams—an outcome no one would’ve predicted for such a new squad.
The season’s highlight came when Morgan Price captured the all-around title at the 2024 USA Gymnastics Women’s Collegiate National Championships with a score of 39.225. She became the first gymnast from an HBCU to win a national collegiate championship, etching her name into history and putting Fisk’s program on the national map.
A Legacy of Breaking Barriers
But beyond the wins, Fisk’s gymnastics program stood for something bigger—a symbol of inclusion, grit, and representation in a sport that’s long struggled with diversity. The Lady Gymdogs’ presence on the national stage challenged old stereotypes and opened doors for future generations of Black gymnasts.
Their success showed that excellence can thrive anywhere, no matter the size or resources of the school. Still, the very factors that made Fisk’s journey so remarkable also left it vulnerable.
As the program gained popularity, it faced growing financial and administrative pressures. These mounting challenges led to the announcement that the program would discontinue after the 2026 season.
Why Fisk University’s Gymnastics Program Is Ending
The tough decision to end Fisk’s gymnastics program comes from a mix of financial challenges, leadership changes, and shifting university priorities. Earlier in 2025, head coach Corrinne Tarver left the university, creating a leadership gap that proved tough to fill.
Soon after, star gymnast Morgan Price entered the transfer portal and joined the University of Arkansas Razorbacks, signaling a major shift in the team’s makeup. Broader financial strains at the university level only made things harder.
Fisk, like many small private colleges, has struggled with economic uncertainty, especially after delays in federal financial aid processing. In 2024, Nashville’s Metro Council provided $500,000 in emergency funding to help keep things afloat, but sustainability concerns lingered.
Valencia Jordan, Fisk’s Director of Athletics, explained that the university plans to refocus resources on conference-affiliated sports to strengthen its place within the HBCU Athletic Conference.
Financial Struggles and Institutional Priorities
It’s a deeply disappointing outcome for athletes and supporters, but it reflects a bigger issue facing collegiate sports at smaller schools. Running a gymnastics program takes a lot—equipment, travel, specialized coaching, facilities. For Fisk, balancing those costs against limited income just got too tough.
The administration’s choice to prioritize sustainability over expansion was a pragmatic, if painful, move to try to keep the athletic department healthy for the long haul.
Talladega College: Following in Fisk’s Footsteps—and Facing the Same Fate
Fisk University wasn’t alone in this struggle. Talladega College, in Alabama, became the second HBCU to launch a women’s gymnastics program in 2024. The debut brought excitement and optimism—especially after freshman Kyrstin Johnson won a national championship title on vault at the USA Gymnastics Women’s Collegiate National Championship.
The team’s early success made it seem like HBCU gymnastics could become a real movement. But that promise faded fast.
In July 2024, Talladega College announced it would discontinue its gymnastics program effective July 31, citing a lack of financial resources. The news blindsided athletes, who learned about it during a mandatory Zoom meeting.
Even after launching a fundraising campaign with a $500,000 goal to save the program, the team raised only a small portion of the needed funds.
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The Broader Impact on HBCU Athletics
The closure of Talladega’s gymnastics program was part of a larger cutback in sports offerings. By early 2025, the college announced it would discontinue six more sports—men’s volleyball, acrobatics and tumbling, men’s and women’s golf, and indoor track—all due to sustainability concerns.
These choices highlight the financial realities smaller colleges face as they try to maintain a range of athletic programs in an increasingly competitive landscape. In a show of solidarity, Fisk’s gymnastics team publicly expressed support for Talladega’s athletes, emphasizing unity and shared purpose among HBCU programs.
Their heartfelt message on social media reflected the deep sense of community that had formed between these two pioneering teams.
Looking Ahead: The Future of HBCU Gymnastics
Even as these programs close, the spirit of HBCU gymnastics sticks around. The journeys of gymnasts like Morgan Price and Kyrstin Johnson really opened doors for others who want to dream bigger.
Their stories show why it’s so important to keep investing in diversity within college sports. More fans, alumni, and organizations are starting to pay attention, and honestly, maybe that’s a reason to be a little hopeful about the future.
Right now, the gymnastics community mourns the loss of these trailblazing programs. Still, people celebrate what Fisk Lady Gymdogs and Talladega Tornadoes accomplished, and their influence won’t just fade away.
If you want to dig deeper into what happened with these closures, check out the full original report at Essentially Sports.