HBCU gymnastics star, national champ hitting transfer portal
College Sports HBCU gymnastics star, national champ hitting transfer portal
Morgan Price, the shining star of HBCU gymnastics, is hitting the transfer portal. The two-time national champion from Fisk University announced earlier this week that she's hitting the transfer portal.
"This has honestly been one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make," Price wrote in a lengthy social-media post. "But after a lot of thought, reflection, and prayer, I've decided to transfer for my final year of eligibility."
Price was a nationally recognized high school gymnast and had committed to the University of Arkansas. But the announcement of Fisk University putting together the first HBCU gymnastics program led to a change of plans, and sent her to Nashville.
"Fisk University gave me a purpose bigger than myself. It gave me a historic opportunity to be part of something no one had ever done before – to represent the first-ever HBCU gymnastics team on a national stage. Over these past few years, I've reached all of my goals and more. I poured my heart into this program. Every routine, every practice, and every moment in the gym has been filled with pride and passion. I've given this program my all, and it's given me so much in return."
Fisk gymnastics star Morgan Price launches off the beam at UGA. (Steven J. Gaither/HBCU Gameday)
Price shined as a freshman during the program's inaugural season in 2023, but became a national champion in 2024 in the all-around event. That came with national media attention, including an interview on Good Morning America. She then repeated that feat last month. But after two national titles - and a coaching change at Fisk University - Price is ready to move on.
"I feel called to step into a new chapter – one that challenges me in different ways and allows me to grow even further as both a gymnast and a woman," Price wrote. "I'm eager to compete on a bigger stage and ready to push myself to new limits."
Price wanted to make it clear that hitting the transfer portal didn't mean she didn't value what she gained at her HBCU.
"This choice doesn't take away the love I have for Fisk nor is it from a place of leaving something behind – it comes from knowing I've laid a strong foundation that I am ready to build on," she continued. "I will always be proud of what we built and will continue to build. This place, and the people in it, have shaped me in ways I'll carry forever. FISK WILL ALWAYS BE HOME and it has given me memories in ways I will carry forever."
The post HBCU gymnastics star, national champ hitting transfer portal appeared first on HBCU Gameday.
Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
This story was originally published May 7, 2025 at 2:29 PM.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Coco Gauff ‘Surprised' by Aryna Sabalenka's Comments After French Open Win
NEED TO KNOW Coco Gauff became the French Open champion after defeating opponent Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday, June 7 After their final face-off, Sabalenka told reporters that Gauff won the match because Sabalenka "made all of those mistakes" Sabalenka then walked back her comments the next day, but Gauff told Good Morning America she was surprised by her opponent's initial remarks Coco Gauff is responding to her French Open opponent Aryna Sabalenka's comments about their final face-off on Saturday, June 7. Sabalenka lost to Gauff, 6-7, 6-2, 6-4, during their final at Roland Garros Stadium in Paris. After the game, Sabalenka, 27, told reporters that Gauff, 21, 'won the match not because she played incredible,' but because 'I made all of those mistakes.' Advertisement After facing critiques for her comments, Sabalenka issued a statement on Instagram the next day, saying, 'Yesterday was a tough one. Coco handled the conditions much better than I did and fully deserved the win.' "She was the better player yesterday, and I want to give her the credit she earned,' she wrote. 'You all know me… I'm always going to be honest and human in how I process these moments. I made over 70 unforced errors, so I can't pretend it was a great day for me." Then on Monday, June 9, Gauff appeared on Good Morning America and briefly chatted about Sabalenka's reaction to Gauff's win. "I know she was probably a bit emotional after that match and it was a tough loss," Gauff said, adding, "I was a little bit surprised about the comments and everything, but I'm gonna give her the benefit of the doubt. I'm sure it was an emotional day, emotional match." Tnani Badreddine/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Coco Gauff at the 2025 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2025 in Paris, France. Coco Gauff at the 2025 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2025 in Paris, France. "When I stepped on the court, I was aware of the wind," Gauff said of the weather conditions on Saturday. Advertisement "We both practiced with the roof closed, so I honestly wanted the roof to be closed before the match because my quarterfinal and semi — it was closed, and I thought I was playing good tennis." Gauff continued, "But when I found out it was open, I saw how windy it was on the court, I knew it was gonna be an ugly win." "I had to force her to play that way and make a lot of balls and put those balls in the court,' Gauff said, acknowledging that Sabalenka is "a tough opponent" and a 'fighter.' Gauff was the first American woman to win the French Open since Serena Williams' 2015 victory. Advertisement "I never dreamt about winning a tournament before in my life and I still haven't, and that was the only time I had a dream about winning one," Gauff candidly told GMA. "I just always thought that this tournament, like, just had to happen. ... So I wrote it down and instilled in my head. It was one of the last things I said to myself before I went on the court." Tnani Badreddine/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Aryna Sabalenka serves against Coco Gauff during the Women's Singles Final on Day 14 of the 2025 French Open at Roland Garros on June 7, 2025 in Paris, France. Aryna Sabalenka serves against Coco Gauff during the Women's Singles Final on Day 14 of the 2025 French Open at Roland Garros on June 7, 2025 in Paris, France. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. While Gauff is excited about her recent win, she's looking forward to Wimbledon, which will begin on Monday, June 30, and conclude on Sunday, July 13. Advertisement "I think the main piece of advice everyone's told me is to take it in and soak it in, and then when it's time to get back to work, get back to work," she said. "But I'm always looking ahead, so I am ready to get back and start training for Wimbledon and try to pull that off. But yeah, for now, I'm definitely trying to soak it in." Read the original article on People
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Coco Gauff Addresses Aryna Sabalenka's 'Emotional' Behavior After French Open
Coco Gauff Addresses Aryna Sabalenka's 'Emotional' Behavior After French Open originally appeared on Athlon Sports. At just 21 years of age, American tennis phenom Coco Gauff bested World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the French Open over the weekend. Advertisement The win made Gauff the first American woman to win the French Open title since Serena Williams did so in 2015. While those around the sports world, such as NBA superstar LeBron James and former U.S. President Barack Obama, praised Gauff, her adversary took the opposite approach when speaking to the media. Following her loss, a dejected Sabalenka attributed Gauff's victory coming as a result of her mistakes and not necessarily due to Gauff's play. She later backtracked on her statement via social media and praised Gauff. The world's No. 2 player made it clear on Monday's "Good Morning America" that she was shocked. "I was a little bit surprised about the comments and everything but I'm gonna give her the benefit of the doubt," Gauff said. "I'm sure it was an emotional day, emotional match. I know she was probably a bit emotional after that match and it was a tough loss." Coco Gauff of the United States kisses the trophy after winning the women's singles final.© Susan Mullane-Imagn Images It was an uncomfortable situation that Gauff clearly handled with grace considering the fact her victory was initially disregarded. Advertisement "I think she won the match not because she played incredible," said Sabalenka. "Just because I made all of those mistakes, if you look from the outside, from kind of easy balls." As a result of the win, Gauff was awarded $2.9 million, and to sweeten the pot, bragging rights over Sabalenka. While Sabalenka seemed to think that Gauff beating her was an anomaly, Gauff is now sporting a 6-5 record against her all-time with a 2-1 record in Grand Slam finals. Needless to say, this could end up being one of tennis' biggest rivalries for years to come. Related: Aryna Sabalenka Facing Backlash for Coco Gauff Message After French Open Loss This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
Miami Herald
6 hours ago
- Miami Herald
After Villanova's exit, is the CAA still worth it for HBCUs?
With Villanova - the third founding CAA football program in two years - announcing it will depart after the 2025 season to join the Patriot League as a football?only associate member in 2026, the Coastal Athletic Association faces another significant shake-up. The league's football membership will shrink from 16 to just 12 teams, following the recent exits of Richmond, William & Mary, and Delaware (moving up to FBS). Amidst this conference upheaval, HBCU institutions Hampton and North Carolina A&T now face mounting uncertainty about their athletic competitiveness and academic positioning in the rapidly shifting CAA conference landscape. When Hampton University and North Carolina A&T left the MEAC for the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA), it was presented as a significant realignment opportunity for HBCU athletics. The move promised more exposure, stronger competition, and academic alignment. But with multiple CAA schools departing, the question HBCU fans are asking: Did the move deliver? Since 2020, five key CAA football programs have left or announced plans to leave: James Madison (to FBS Sun Belt, 2022)Delaware (to Conference USA, 2025)Richmond (to Patriot League, 2025)William & Mary (to Patriot League, 2026)Villanova (to Patriot League, 2026) That leaves a restructured and arguably weakened CAA, especially for football. For HBCU additions like Hampton and NC A&T, the competitive landscape and cultural relevance of the conference are now in question more than ever. When the Aggies and Pirates joined the CAA, they carried with them the heart of HBCU football-the drumlines, community-centered tailgates, vibrant student sections, and deeply rooted rivalries. These elements are core to the HBCU game day experience, where cultural celebration meets athletic competition. The CAA, a conference consisting of predominantly white institutions (PWIs), offered little in terms of that unique ambiance. As a result, many fans have struggled to connect with the new conference environment. For example, Hampton has seen a decline in home game attendance, averaging just over 4,000 fans. Meanwhile, NC A&T drew 23,016 fans for its 2024 Homecoming game against Hampton-an impressive turnout that underscores how deeply HBCU traditions still resonate. However, without traditional rivals and familiar pageantry week after week, the experience feels less electric. As one NC A&T alum told HBCU Gameday in 2023, "I feel like the culture has slipped away…when it comes to the football family." This cultural disconnect has fueled ongoing debates about whether the benefits of CAA membership outweigh the intangibles lost. Before joining the Coastal Athletic Association, both Hampton and North Carolina A&T were dominant HBCU programs in the MEAC: NC A&T won seven MEAC football titles, four Celebration Bowl victories, and built one of the nation's top HBCU track and field claimed five MEAC football championships, consistent success in men's and women's basketball, and sent athletes to NCAA tournaments in track, tennis, and other sports. These programs helped define HBCU athletics on and off the field. Their departures left a major gap in not only MEAC competition but the overall landscape of HBCU football, especially in the Celebration Bowl, the official HBCU National Championship Game. North Carolina A&T's move aligned with its goal of becoming an R1 research institution. In a statement to HBCU Gameday in 2022, Athletic Director Earl Hilton said, 'The CAA is consistent with our academic and athletic aspirations. The (then-maned) Colonial already has four institutions of R1 status, and we're moving in that direction.' Hampton's then-president, Dr. William R. Harvey, echoed this in January 2022 to 13News Now: "I have always been very interested in the concept of the student-athlete, which means a focus on academics and top athletics… This is a risk, but it's not a gamble." However, with Delaware and James Madison exiting the CAA, only Stony Brook and Albany remain as R1 institutions, undercutting the academic synergy that helped justify the move. Hampton ended the 2024 season 5-7, including a dominant Homecoming win over NC A& Aggies struggled through a rebuilding year in football and are still adjusting to the stiffer competition in the CAA basketball conference. Off the field, A&T's track and field continues to excel nationally. Hampton's Olympic sports, while competitive, have not replicated past dominance within the CAA structure. CAA prestige hasn't produced playoff berths or national rankings for either HBCU. The big question buzzing around the HBCU community. Could these HBCU programs return to the MEAC? Some fans and analysts are discussing a potential new HBCU superconference that would revive cultural traditions and regional rivalries. The Celebration Bowl, ESPN coverage, and renewed investment in HBCU sports elevate this possibility. Still, any conference shift would require planning, media deals, and strategic coordination among institutions. This isn't just a discussion about football. It touches on identity, culture, and community. Hampton and NC A&T took a calculated step to grow their platforms. But as the CAA's foundation shifts, the question is whether they are building a new legacy or turning away from what made HBCU sports great. Should Hampton and NC A&T double down on the CAA, return to the MEAC, or help create a new HBCU movement? The post After Villanova's exit, is the CAA still worth it for HBCUs? appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
