Fisk University To End Its Historic HBCU Gymnastics Program in 2026

Fisk University, the first HBCU to establish a collegiate gymnastics team, announced on June 6 that it will discontinue the program after the 2025–2026 academic year. The decision, shared in an official press release, comes after an internal evaluation of the program’s fit within the school’s overall athletic priorities. According to Fisk, gymnastics—unaffiliated with the HBCU Athletic Conference—faced “considerable challenges to schedule competitions and build a robust recruiting pipeline.”

Valencia Jordan, Fisk’s Athletics Director, acknowledged the significance of the team’s short-lived but trailblazing legacy: “While we are tremendously proud of the history our gymnastics team has made in just three years, we look forward to focusing on our conference-affiliated teams to strengthen our impact in the HBCU Athletic Conference.” She also expressed gratitude toward the athletes, staff, and coaches who built the program.

Launched in January 2023, Fisk’s team made national headlines by increasing Black representation in a predominantly white sport. Star gymnast Morgan Price made history in 2024 by becoming 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, sweeping all individual events. “It feels good because of the hard work that has been put in,” Price said at the time. “Honestly, I didn’t know where I would place, but it was a pleasant surprise.”

Along with Price, teammates Allie Berkley, Aliyah Reed-Hammon, and Ciniah Rosby earned first-team All-American honors in 2025. However, internal struggles plagued the program. Sports Illustrated reported that the team faced significant resource limitations for training and travel. Founding head coach Corrine Tarver departed midseason in 2024 and is expected to accept another role on the East Coast.

Fisk’s decision adds to a worrying trend for HBCU gymnastics. Talladega College shuttered its program after only one season. Wilberforce University launched a team in 2025, making it just the third HBCU to support collegiate gymnastics. The future of the sport at these institutions remains uncertain.

Link: MSN