McMurry University in Abilene, Texas announced Tuesday the addition of men’s and women’s gymnastics to its athletics department.

The teams are expected to begin competing during the 2027-2028 school year (2028 NCAA gymnastics season).

“This new program reflects McMurry’s strategic commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for student involvement and competition,” said Dr. Grant Greenwood, Chief Operating Officer. “We are intentionally building this program from the ground up, with a focus on long-term success and strong leadership.”

The university is currently conducting a national search for a “Head Coach of Gymnastics” and hopes to hire the individual by this summer. They will be responsible for “establishing the program’s foundation, leading recruiting efforts, and preparing the team for its inaugural season.”

McMurry is a private Methodist university that was founded more than 100 years ago. The school’s undergraduate population is approximately 4,000 as of fall 2025. The War Hawks compete in NCAA Division III.

Despite being home to some of the top club gyms in the country, Texas Woman’s University is the only active NCAA gymnastics program in the state – a glaring gap between talent and opportunity.

READ MORE: The complex history of college gymnastics in Texas

Last fall, Texas State was rumored to be adding a gymnastics team around the same time frame as McMurry, but when Gymnastics Now reached out to the school, Director of Athletics Don Coryell shared the following:

“Texas State University is continually exploring opportunities to enhance our athletics offerings and student-athlete experience. While we are currently evaluating the potential for a gymnastics program, no final decisions have been made at this time. Any future additions to our athletics portfolio will be the result of thorough assessment and alignment with the university’s mission, resources, and long-term strategic goals.

“We appreciate the enthusiasm and support from our community and will share updates if and when official plans are finalized.”

Dickies Arena in Fort Worth currently hosts the NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships annually and will continue to do so through at least 2028.