Fisk University’s Pioneering Gymnastics Program Faces an Early End Amid Operational Challenges
Nashville, Tenn. — In a decision that has reverberated deeply through the HBCU sports community, Fisk University announced it will discontinue its groundbreaking women’s artistic gymnastics program after the conclusion of the 2026 season. The move marks the close of a short-lived but historic chapter in HBCU athletics as Fisk was the first historically Black college or university to establish a women’s gymnastics team when it launched the program in 2023.
The Fisk GymDogs quickly made a name for themselves on the collegiate gymnastics scene. Despite being just three years old, the team not only shattered expectations but also established national milestones. Among their standout athletes was Morgan Price, a three-time All-American who became the first HBCU gymnast to record a perfect 10 score—a feat that drew widespread attention to the program and symbolized progress in representation within NCAA gymnastics. Price also secured back-to-back national all-around titles and swept individual event finals at the 2025 USGA Championships before transferring to the University of Arkansas to continue her collegiate career alongside her sister[2][3][6][7].
However, the program’s pioneering status also proved to be its greatest challenge. Unlike Fisk’s other varsity sports, gymnastics was not part of the HBCU Athletic Conference, forcing the team to compete as an outlier within the university’s athletics department. This disconnect created significant hurdles in scheduling meets and building a recruiting pipeline because most gymnastics programs are affiliated with NCAA divisions, whereas Fisk’s other sports compete in the NAIA. Consequently, the GymDogs often faced demanding travel schedules to compete with a limited pool of programs, increasing financial and logistical strain on the program[2][4][7].
Fisk’s athletic leadership cited these challenges in explaining the decision. Valencia Jordan, Fisk’s director of athletics, expressed pride in the team’s accomplishments while emphasizing a strategic pivot to focus resources on conference-sanctioned sports to enhance the school’s impact within the HBCU Athletic Conference. She acknowledged the hard work and dedication of the gymnasts, coaches, and staff who brought the program to life and pledged to support those affected by the shutdown[2][4][7].
The gymnastics program’s founding head coach, Corrinne Tarver, left in mid-2024, which compounded the transition difficulties. Despite these setbacks, the athletes maintained high academic and athletic standards, with many graduating as honor students[3][5].
Fisk’s journey inspired other HBCUs to explore gymnastics programs as well. Talladega College launched a similar women’s gymnastics team in 2024 but discontinued it after just one season due to financial constraints, highlighting the systemic challenges of sustaining non-traditional sports programs at smaller HBCUs[4][5][7]. Wilberforce University also initiated a gymnastics team in early 2025, becoming the third HBCU to do so, indicating a growing interest in expanding opportunities despite formidable obstacles[5].
The program’s closure prompts reflection on the broader HBCU sports landscape, where financial resources, conference affiliation, and regional competition networks critically influence sustainability. Fisk’s experience underscores that pioneering innovation, while impactful, must contend with institutional realities and the need for supportive infrastructures to thrive long-term.
Looking ahead, Fisk University will prioritize its existing conference-aligned programs in football, basketball, track and field, and other sports within the HBCU Athletic Conference. The university remains committed to honoring the legacy of its gymnastics team and hopes the groundwork laid will inspire future generations and other HBCUs to build sustainable women’s gymnastics programs with stronger institutional backing.
Upcoming seasons will also see renewed focus on leveraging emerging college athletics trends such as NIL opportunities and media exposure to bolster HBCU traditional sports. Fisk’s gymnastics saga is a poignant reminder of the delicate balance between innovation and viability in the evolving landscape of historically Black college sports.
The gymnastics program may be ending, but its historic contributions to HBCU athletics — breaking barriers and expanding the scope of representation — will continue to resonate throughout the community for years to come.
Jessica Brock and Elizabeth Grimsley contributed reporting.