Fisk University Shuts Down Its Iconic Gymnastics Program: What It Means for Students and the Community

After making history by launching the first gymnastics program at an HBCU in 2023, Fisk University has decided to discontinue the program after the 2025-2026 season. The school cites challenges in recruitment and scheduling as the main reasons for this tough choice.

In a recent statement, Valencia Jordan, the director of Fisk Athletics, expressed pride in the accomplishments of the gymnastics team. The program certainly raised the university’s profile, but Jordan emphasized the need to focus on conference-affiliated teams to strengthen their presence in the HBCU Athletic Conference. She thanked the gymnasts, coaches, and staff for their dedication.

Despite this decision, the gymnastics program had a remarkable run. Under the leadership of standout athlete Morgan Price, the team won five national titles and set records, including having multiple players recognized as All-Americans. However, Morgan announced her intention to transfer to the University of Arkansas even before the official announcement was made.

The decision to close the gymnastics program has disappointed many athletes, alumni, and fans. They had hoped the program could continue to thrive, given its recent successes and contributions to the university’s sports culture.

The landscape for HBCU athletics is changing. A recent settlement from the House v. NCAA lawsuit allows universities to directly pay student-athletes, creating both opportunities and challenges. Charles McClelland, the commissioner of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), highlighted that schools need to have funds set aside for Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals to attract and retain talent.

As universities weigh their options, Fisk University faces uncertainty as it opts out of this new revenue-sharing model. This could lead to a competitive disadvantage when recruiting athletes interested in lucrative NIL opportunities.

The discontinuation of the gymnastics program at Fisk underlines the financial pressures facing HBCUs today. As they navigate these challenges, the changes in athletics might significantly affect the future of sports at these institutions.

For ongoing insights into HBCU athletics and the broader implications of the NIL settlement, you can refer to reports from trusted sources like HBCU Gameday.

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college sports,Gymnastics,Fisk University,HBCUs