Fisk To Discontinue Nation’s First HBCU Gymnastics Program In 2026

In 2023, Fisk University made history as the first Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to sponsor women’s gymnastics. However, the university announced Friday that the historic program will be discontinued.

In an email delivered to the student body, university officials shared their decision to discontinue the gymnastics program at the close of the 2025-2026 gymnastics season.

The university cited scheduling issues and recruitment disadvantages as factors influencing the decision. Though Fisk and Wilberforce University presently sponsor women’s gymnastics, the sport is not sanctioned within the HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC).

The decision to cut Fisk’s program also comes after significant personnel changes.

In May, star gymnast Morgan Price announced her intent to transfer from Fisk for her final season of eligibility, instead signing with the Arkansas Razorbacks of the powerhouse Southeastern Athletic Conference. Price led Fisk gymnastics since its founding, claiming back-to-back national championships and delivering the first perfect ten in HBCU gymnastics history.

Price’s departure was one of two to shake the historic HBCU team in 2025. One month into the team’s season, Head Coach Corrinnne Tarver resigned. Tarver had been at the helm since the program’s founding in 2022.

Despite the notable departures, Friday’s news shocked many athletes, alumni, and fans. The 2025 season was a historic one for the Bulldogs. In addition to Price’s five national titles, the team set a program record and notched seven All-America honors.

In response to the news, recent Fisk graduate Naimah Muhammad took to Instagram to express disappointment for her teammates and program.

Muhammad particularly disagreed with the university’s reasoning. While the gymnast felt that she could accept financial rationale, the claim surrounding sanctioning struck a nerve—and rightly so.

“The reason gymnastics is not an HBCU-sanctioned sport…is (because) there’s never been HBCU gymnastics before Fisk,” Muhammad said.

“HBCU Gymnastics started because of Fisk,” she added.

When Fisk jumped at the opportunity to make history in 2022, many hoped that multiple HBCU programs would follow suit. Unfortunately, the period following the historic announcement has been tumultuous.

In 2024, Talladega College joined Fisk as the second HBCU to sponsor a women’s gymnastics team. However, months later, the program was cut due to budget issues.

Wilberforce University joined Fisk this past NCAA season as one of two active programs. Sadly, at the close of the 2026 season, Wilberforce may be the only program standing. Fans hope Wilberorce’s program outlasts its predecessors, and the university encourages them to support the Fisk athletes in their final season.

Despite the recent news, Muhammad attests that the fervor for HBCU gymnastics remains strong. “Y’all don’t know how many [direct messages] I get every single day – from parents, alumni, and gymnasts,” she said.

They all ask – “How do I get my daughter to go to Fisk Gymnastics?”