Latest news with #FiskUniversity
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
HBCU gymnastics program to shut down
Fisk University's gymnastics program - the first in HBCU history - is shutting down. The Nashville, TN-based HBCU announced in an email on Friday that it will discontinue the sport. According to College Gym News, the university cited challenges with aligning gymnastics to its current athletics structure. "We are tremendously proud of the history our gymnastics team has made in just three years," said Fisk Director of Athletics Valencia Jordan. "But we look forward to focusing on our conference-affiliated teams to strengthen our impact in the HBCU Athletic Conference. Fisk is grateful for the hard work, dedication, and tenacity of its gymnasts, staff members, and coaches who made this program possible." The groundbreaking program drew national attention from the start. Fisk hired Corrine Tarver- the first Black woman to compete in gymnastics at the University of Georgia and a national champion- as head coach. Morgan Price, who turned down a chance to compete in the SEC, became the team's breakout star. She joined several other young gymnasts eager to make history on the inaugural HBCU squad. The team got off to a strong start in 2023 and improved in 2024. Price won the national championship in the all-around and defended her title in 2025. However, cracks began to appear earlier this season. Tarver, who had also served as athletics director, stepped down midseason. Fisk faced financial aid issues tied to FAFSA processing delays, which created uncertainty for many students. Last summer, Nashville's Metro Council stepped in with $500,000 in emergency funding to support the university. Price announced last month she would transfer to Arkansas for her final season. Now, the program she and her teammates helped build appears to be finished. This decision comes about a year after Talladega College - the first HBCU to announce a gymnastics program - ended its own after just one season. The post HBCU gymnastics program to shut down appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Forbes
2 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Fisk To Discontinue Nation's First HBCU Gymnastics Program In 2026
LAS VEGAS, NV - JANUARY 06: Fisk University gymnasts cheer on their teammate during a meet at the ... More Orleans Arena on January 6, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by) 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. CORVALLIS, OREGON - MARCH 21: Morgan Price of the Fisk Bulldogs competes on the floor exercise ... More during a gymnastics meet against the Oregon State Beavers at Gill Coliseum on March 21, 2025 in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by) 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?'
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
HBCU legend makes unique decision on NCAA future
She dominated the sport, made history, and carried an entire movement on her shoulders — now, Morgan Price is ready for one final leap. Fisk University's trailblazing gymnast Morgan Price has officially announced she will transfer for her last year of NCAA eligibility, ending a chapter that redefined HBCU athletics. The two-time national all-around champion and Division II standout isn't just transferring — she's aiming higher. 2-time National Gymnastics Champion Morgan Price© Stephanie Amador / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK Price didn't just compete — she built a dynasty. Since joining Fisk's newly formed gymnastics program, the first ever at an HBCU, she has collected an all-around national title twice, and in 2025, she swept all four individual event titles: vault, bars, beam, and floor. That feat stamped her as arguably the most dominant gymnast in HBCU history. Advertisement 'This place, and the people in it, have shaped me in ways I'll carry forever,' she wrote in her farewell message. With her Fisk résumé complete, Price said she felt 'called to step into a new chapter.' The decision, she admitted, wasn't easy. 'I've reached all of my goals and more… I'm eager to compete on a bigger stage and ready to push myself to new limits.' That stage, potentially in Division I, could be the final proving ground for a gymnast who's already made history — and wants more. Price didn't leave without honoring what Fisk gave her: 'Fisk University gave me a purpose bigger than myself,' she said. 'This is not a goodbye, this is a see you again soon.' Her message resonated deeply with fans and fellow athletes, a testament to the cultural weight she carried and her continued influence on HBCU sports. Advertisement As Morgan Price takes this next step, one thing is clear: she may be leaving Fisk's gym, but her impact will echo in HBCU history for generations. Related: Super Bowl MVP and HBCU legend honored at 2025 gala Related: NBA legend and HBCU trailblazer dies at 88
Miami Herald
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
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.
Miami Herald
12-04-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
HBCU gymnast Morgan Price repeats as national champion
In another historic milestone for HBCU gymnastics, Fisk University's Morgan Price has once again captured the national spotlight. The standout junior gymnast claimed her second consecutive all-around title at the Women's Collegiate Gymnastics National Invitational Championships (WCGNIC) on Friday night, scoring an impressive 39.350 to defend her crown. Formerly known as the USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Championships, the WCGNIC showcases top-tier talent from across the nation. Price, competing for the only HBCU gymnastics team in the field, stood tall against elite competition. She outpaced SEMO's Taylor Ingle, who finished as the runner-up with a 39.225, and Bridgeport's Abigail Kenney, who took third with a 38.95. The HBCU star qualified for all four individual event finals with top-eight finishes across the board, further underscoring her dominance. But Price won't be representing Fisk alone in the next round. Her teammate Aliyah Reed-Hammon delivered a breakout performance of her own, finishing in the top two on both vault and beam to secure spots in both event finals. Price's repeat performance is not just a personal triumph - it's another powerful chapter in the growth of HBCU gymnastics. Since joining Fisk, she's been a trailblazer for the sport at historically Black colleges and universities, proving that excellence knows no boundaries. Earlier this year she became the first gymnast from an HBCU to record a perfect score. "I know that that a lot of little gymnasts, whether they're a minority or not, look up to us because they see a whole team full of black and brown gymnasts doing the sport that they love, and it can show that you can also do (college gymnastics) as well, as long as you keep working hard and putting your mind to it," she told Forbes after repeating as champion. With both Price and Reed-Hammon advancing to the event finals, Fisk University is once again proving that HBCU programs can shine on the national stage in gymnastics. The duo's success highlights the continuing evolution of a program that has broken barriers and redefined what's possible in collegiate athletics. The post HBCU gymnast Morgan Price repeats as national champion appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
