Fisk plans to discontinue its women’s gymnastics program following the conclusion of the 2026 season, according to an email sent Friday afternoon. The news was later confirmed to College Gym News by a former member of the team.
The announcement comes just three years after Fisk made history by launching the first-ever HBCU women’s gymnastics team. In the email, the university cited challenges with aligning the program to its athletics structure, noting gymnastics is not a sanctioned sport within the HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC), making scheduling and recruiting increasingly difficult.
The decision follows a period of significant transition for Fisk. The program’s founding head coach, Corrinne Tarver, departed earlier this year, and the university has been 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…