The 2025 season for Fisk University was a feat of its own! The Bulldogs defeated 11 opponents, won four consecutive meets outright, beat both NCAA Division I and II teams in one meet, and secured victories against seven straight opponents. All firsts for the program. Morgan Price has etched her name in history by becoming the first gymnast from a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to win a national collegiate gymnastics championship. Competing for Fisk University, she clinched the all-around title at the 2024 USA Gymnastics Women’s Collegiate National Championships with a score of 39.225. Now the fans were hoping for something greater in the coming season, but tragic news is on board.

All Things Gymnastics Podcast took to their X account on June 7 to announce, “Former Fisk gymnast Naimah Muhammad just shared on Instagram live that the gymnastics program will be discontinued after next season. Fisk of course was the first HBCU to start a gymnastics team.” Naimah Muhammad was a student and gymnast at the university, where she graduated with a B.A. English Literature. Fisk University made history by launching the first-ever intercollegiate women’s artistic gymnastics team at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in February 2022.

Under the leadership of head coach and athletic director Corrinne Tarver, the team, known as the Fisk Lady Gymdogs, held their inaugural practice in August 2022 and debuted competitively at the Super 16 meet in Las Vegas on January 6, 2023. Muhammad performed the debut routine. Why is the gymnastics program being closed after the 2026 season? Well, to begin, Tarver has said goodbye earlier this year. Their star gymnast, Morgan Price, entered the transfer portal, and she is now a Razorback. 

And finally, the university is also under financial strain, including delays in FAFSA processing that left many students uncertain about their financial aid. Nashville’s Metro Council stepped in last summer with $500,000 in emergency funding to support Fisk’s operations. “While we are tremendously proud of the history our gymnastics team has made in just three years, we look forward to focusing on our conference-affiliated teams to strengthen our impact in the HBCU Athletic Conference,” said Fisk Director of Athletics Valencia Jordan.

She continued, “Fisk is grateful for the hard work, dedication, and tenacity of its gymnasts, staff members, and coaches who made this program possible.” But Fisk University is not the only one in this boat. They are accompanied bu their sister university as well.

Fisk University’s sister college is also on the list

Talladega College, a historically Black college in Alabama, made headlines in 2024 by launching its women’s gymnastics program, becoming the second HBCU to do so after Fisk University. The team had a promising start, with standout performances including freshman Kyrstin Johnson’s national championship win in the vault at the USA Gymnastics Women’s Collegiate National Championship.However, the program was short-lived. In July 2024, the college announced the discontinuation of the gymnastics program effective July 31, citing insufficient resources to sustain it.

The decision came as a shock to the athletes, who learned about it during a mandatory Zoom meeting. In response, the team launched a fundraising campaign aiming to raise $500,000 to save the program but managed to gather only a fraction of the goal. Fisk gymnastics made an Instagram post saying, “We are deeply saddened by the news of our sister, Talladega College, discontinuing their gymnastics program. We send our love and support to the entire team and coaches during this difficult time. Competing alongside you all in your inaugural season was an honor. Your dedication, grit & fight has left a lasting impact on us and the rest of the gymnastics community. Your names are forever etched in the history books #TeamOne 🌪️❤️” 

The closure of the gymnastics program was part of a broader reduction in Talladega College’s athletic offerings. By February 2025, the college announced the discontinuation of six more sports programs, including men’s volleyball, acrobatics and tumbling, men’s and women’s golf, and men’s and women’s indoor track, citing sustainability concerns.