Wilberforce Gymnastics Endures as Fisk and Talladega Programs Close
In the fast-changing world of collegiate gymnastics, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have played a unique role. They blend athletic excellence, representation, and resilience in ways that feel both inspiring and overdue.
Now, with Fisk University and Talladega College shutting down their gymnastics programs because of financial strain, Wilberforce University’s unwavering commitment to gymnastics stands out as a bright spot. President Dr. Vann R. Newkirk says Wilberforce’s program is *here to stay*, and the university’s staking its claim as the last HBCU gymnastics team—ready to carry the banner forward.
The Rise and Fall of HBCU Gymnastics Programs
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Fisk University made history in 2022 when it launched its gymnastics program, becoming the first HBCU to compete in the sport. That move inspired Talladega College and then Wilberforce University to join in.
For a brief time, collegiate gymnastics felt more diverse and full of new opportunities. But it hasn’t been easy. Both Fisk and Talladega have since announced their programs will end, leaving Wilberforce as the only HBCU still competing in gymnastics.
Fisk’s team, which included standout gymnast Morgan Price, ran into tough financial challenges and institutional roadblocks. Even with national attention and back-to-back individual championships, the university pointed to a *lack of financial resources* and the absence of HBCU Athletic Conference sanctioning as reasons for ending the program after the 2026 season.
Talladega College’s program ended after just one year, despite passionate fundraising from parents and supporters. The financial gap was just too wide.
Fisk University’s Legacy and the Impact of Morgan Price
Few names in HBCU gymnastics carry the weight of Morgan Price. She dominated the national stage, sweeping all apparatus events at the 2025 USAG Championships in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Over three seasons, Price earned two All-Around national titles and multiple First-Team All-American honors. Her success gave Fisk’s program visibility and inspired younger gymnasts to dream bigger.
Recently, Price transferred to the University of Arkansas, joining her sister Frankie Price and the Gymbacks. It’s a big step for her, but it also highlights the uncertainty that HBCU programs face when it comes to funding and support—even when their athletes are winning.
Talladega’s Short-Lived Dream
Talladega College’s gymnastics journey was fueled by passion and grit. The program started with real hope, joining Fisk to expand the HBCU gymnastics footprint.
Gymnast Kyrstin Johnson made waves by taking gold at the 2024 USAG event, a sign of the talent these programs attracted. But despite the athletes’ drive, financial instability proved too much. The program closed after one season, and Johnson later transferred to Temple University to keep her career going.
Supporters rallied, organizing fundraisers and petitions, but the money just wasn’t there. The loss of Talladega’s program points to a bigger problem: HBCU athletic programs outside of football and basketball struggle to draw corporate sponsorship and national attention.
Community Support and the Financial Strain
Fisk and Talladega both ran into similar problems. Tight budgets, travel costs, and not having conference-sanctioned competition made things tough.
Fisk’s athletic director, Valencia Jordan, said that not being an HBCUAC-sanctioned sport created scheduling and recruiting headaches. Former head coach Corrine Tarver disagreed, arguing that plenty of athletes wanted in—the real problem was money, not logistics.
Tarver left Fisk in 2024, and her absence was felt. She’d built the program from scratch, and her exit highlighted just how shaky things get when athletic departments are underfunded.
Word is, she’s set to coach again at an East Coast school for the 2025–26 season, so her influence on collegiate gymnastics isn’t going anywhere.
Wilberforce University: The Last HBCU Gymnastics Program Standing
With Fisk and Talladega gone, Wilberforce University is now the only HBCU gymnastics program left. President Dr. Vann R. Newkirk isn’t backing down.
He’s gone on record saying Wilberforce’s team is *tough as granite* and *here to stay*. That’s not just a promise—it’s a challenge to the rest of collegiate sports to take HBCU gymnastics seriously.
Wilberforce’s team started in January 2025 and has already made its mark. Gymnast Diamond Cook earned First-Team All-American honors at the 2025 Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics National Invitational.
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With Cook stepping into a leadership role after Price’s departure from Fisk, Wilberforce hopes to build a legacy of excellence and representation.
The Future of HBCU Gymnastics
Wilberforce’s commitment means more than just keeping one program alive. It’s about the survival of HBCU gymnastics as a whole.
The university’s leaders seem to get that it takes more than words to keep a team going. Dr. Newkirk says the program is something the school and its supporters *plan to keep on funding*, which shows a real determination to keep HBCU gymnastics alive.
Still, keeping up the momentum will take more help. Sponsorship from big gymnastics brands and apparel companies just hasn’t materialized.
Despite historic wins from athletes like Morgan Price and the trailblazing efforts of Fisk and Talladega, corporate partners have been slow to get on board. More media coverage, alumni support, and community fundraising might help bridge that gap and give Wilberforce a fighting chance.
Why Representation Matters
HBCU gymnastics isn’t just about sports—it’s about representation, opportunity, and breaking barriers. For years, collegiate gymnastics hasn’t been all that diverse.
HBCU programs brought a new story, one that celebrates Black excellence in a sport that often gets left out of conversations about inclusion. Athletes like Price, Cook, and Johnson have proved that talent’s everywhere, and with the right support, HBCU gymnasts can win on the national stage.
As Wilberforce keeps building, its success could show what’s possible when commitment meets opportunity. Their decision to stand firm sends a message: representation in gymnastics isn’t just possible—it’s essential for the sport to grow and change.
Looking Ahead
The closures at Fisk and Talladega sting, no doubt. Still, they throw a spotlight on the grit and resilience of HBCU athletics.
Wilberforce’s unwavering stance opens up a new chapter. Maybe it’s a real shot to rethink what sustainability in collegiate gymnastics actually means.
The program’s future will hinge on steady funding. Strategic recruiting and ongoing advocacy for inclusion in NCAA and HBCU sports will play a big part too.