Wilberforce Expands Gymnastics Program as Fisk and Talladega Close
Collegiate athletics never sit still, and HBCU gymnastics has seen both incredible milestones and tough setbacks lately. Fisk University made waves by starting the first HBCU gymnastics program, with Talladega College joining in soon after.
Now, both have announced they’re shutting down their programs. Financial woes and shifting priorities at the schools played a big part in these decisions.
Amid all this upheaval, Wilberforce University stands out. President Dr. Vann R. Newkirk has promised unwavering support for their gymnastics team.
That’s a big deal, especially as HBCU gymnastics fights for recognition, funding, and even basic media coverage. The sport’s produced national champs and All-Americans, but still struggles for its place.
The Rise and Fall of HBCU Gymnastics Programs
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The story of HBCU gymnastics is a rollercoaster, honestly. Fisk University broke real ground in 2022 as the first HBCU to launch a gymnastics program, and it didn’t take long to make a splash nationally.
Then Talladega College jumped in the next year, adding momentum and hope that this movement would stick. By 2025, Wilberforce joined them, making it three HBCUs with teams.
Still, reality hit hard. Talladega’s program lasted just one season before money troubles forced it to close.
Fisk, even with some of Division II’s top gymnasts, announced it would shutter its program after the 2026 season. That loss stings for Black athletes hoping to see themselves in collegiate gymnastics.
Financial Struggles and Institutional Priorities
On paper, these closures come down to “lack of financial resources.” Dig a little deeper, though, and it gets complicated.
Talladega’s supporters tried fundraising to save the program, but didn’t raise enough. At Fisk, Director of Athletics Valencia Jordan pointed out that gymnastics isn’t an HBCU Athletic Conference-sanctioned sport, making things like scheduling and recruiting a headache.
She said that limited the program’s growth. But founding coach Corrine Tarver pushed back, saying recruiting was never an issue and talented gymnasts wanted to come to Fisk.
This rift between leadership and those in the trenches left alumni and fans feeling blindsided and frustrated.
Star Power: Morgan Price and the Legacy of Excellence
Morgan Price stands out as one of the brightest stars from HBCU gymnastics. At Fisk, she became the face of the sport, crushing national competitions and winning back-to-back All-Around titles at the USAG nationals in 2024 and 2025.
In 2025, she pulled off a rare sweep, winning vault, floor, uneven bars, and balance beam. Her success brought a ton of attention to HBCU gymnastics.
But even with all her wins, the program couldn’t lock down the sponsorships or funding it needed. In May 2025, Price transferred to the University of Arkansas to join her sister, Frankie Price.
That move pretty much closed the book on Fisk’s gymnastics era.
Other Standout Athletes
Morgan Price got a lot of the spotlight, but she wasn’t the only standout. Talladega’s Kyrstin Johnson grabbed gold in vault at the 2024 USAG event before transferring to Temple University after Talladega’s program folded.
Wilberforce’s Diamond Cook earned First-Team All-American honors in 2025. The talent at Wilberforce shows they can compete with the best in Division II.
Wilberforce University: The Last HBCU Gymnastics Program Standing
With Fisk and Talladega gone, Wilberforce University is now the sole HBCU with a gymnastics team. President Dr. Vann R. Newkirk says the program is here to stay, calling it “like granite”—tough and built for championships.
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That kind of support matters, especially since Wilberforce’s program only started in January 2025. The school’s leadership gets how important the sport is, not just for Wilberforce but for the whole HBCU community.
A Commitment Beyond Words
Dr. Newkirk’s promise isn’t just talk—it’s about expanding opportunities for Black student-athletes. By keeping gymnastics alive, Wilberforce is stepping up as a leader for diversity in a sport that’s long lacked Black representation at the college level.
The Broader Challenges Facing HBCU Gymnastics
Fisk and Talladega’s struggles point to bigger problems. Even with top-tier athletes, HBCU gymnastics gets little corporate sponsorship, not much alumni support, and barely any media attention.
Without those essentials, keeping these programs afloat is tough. It’s especially frustrating considering how gymnastics could inspire young athletes of color.
Gymnasts like Morgan Price and Diamond Cook prove there’s plenty of talent. But when there’s no infrastructure or investment, all that promise risks fading away.
Missed Opportunities for Growth
After Price’s national wins, there was a real chance for gymnastics brands and sponsors to get involved. That window closed without much action, showing a bigger issue—sports leaders need to recognize and invest in excellence where it’s underrepresented.
What the Future Holds
Right now, the future of HBCU gymnastics is riding on Wilberforce University’s shoulders. If they can survive the financial and logistical challenges that tripped up Fisk and Talladega, maybe their success will inspire other HBCUs to try gymnastics again.
Maybe the wider gymnastics world will step up, too, with sponsorships and media attention that could keep the program going. But that’ll take a real shift in how the sport values diversity and representation.
The Role of the HBCU Community
External support matters, but so does the HBCU community itself. Alumni involvement, grassroots fundraising, and school priorities all play a role in helping gymnastics—and other non-revenue sports—stick around.
The stories of Fisk and Talladega are more than just history. They’re a warning, but also a nudge to do better.
Conclusion: Carrying the Banner Forward
Wilberforce University’s commitment to gymnastics stands out during a tough time for the sport at HBCUs.
The school’s got strong leadership and talented athletes. There’s a vision here that actually feels possible—maybe even championship-level.
But it’s going to take more than just one school’s grit. The whole HBCU community, the broader gymnastics world, and even some corporate partners need to step up if this sport’s going to stick around.
Right now, Wilberforce is the last HBCU gymnastics program. They’re carrying the banner for a sport that’s meant a lot to plenty of athletes and fans.
Maybe, if this momentum keeps up, the story for HBCU gymnastics isn’t just about decline. Maybe it’s about resilience—and, with a little luck, a comeback.