Editor’s note: The following is a personal statement from former Fisk gymnast and Gymnastics Now contributor Naimah Muhammad regarding her experience with the Fisk gymnastics program. The views expressed are her own and are presented in her own words.

Looking at the state of college gymnastics today has made me reflect on my time with Fisk Gymnastics. Fisk Gymnastics gave me the best 3 years of my life. The chance to go to an HBCU and do the sport I love was something never offered before and something I’ve only dreamed about from a young age. To be among my culture and people that look like me, represent me, and make me feel welcomed was an experience I will forever treasure. The love I have for my alma mater is everlasting and I’m grateful to Fisk Gymnastics for making me the first HBCU gymnast in history, giving me a platform to inspire young gymnasts across the country by being my authentic self. This program has changed my life for the better and it’s disheartening to see it end. However, the end of our program highlights the problem in college gymnastics: lack of communication and transparency for athletes. Gymnastics didn’t always feel like the priority, but as though we were a burden. It was hard to have clear conversations about our program with administration, especially when it came to the leadership coming into the team. 

Our first season was a whirlwind of TV appearances, traveling to schools I’ve only dreamed of competing at, and the excitement of showcasing HBCU gymnastics for the first time in history. I felt like we were prioritized and appreciated and couldn’t wait to see how far this program would go. 

Our second season was a blur to me. The chaos of the first year made the second one hazy up until the end, when we found out our assistant coach would no longer be with us for year three. It was devastating to lose someone that meant so much to us and to this day, the athletes never received any clear explanation or communication from administration as to why or timely next steps. The communication between athletes and administration was little to none and any feeling of appreciation was crushed. We were anxious, hesitant, and wary about who would be our new coach going into year three, and it wasn’t until the month before Fall 2024 semester began that our social media manager (now interim head coach) was formally announced as the new asst. coach, someone many of us were uneasy about from the beginning. 

Year Three proved to be a battle between Fisk gymnastics and the new leadership, and would prove to be my breaking point from the lack of transparency and accountability. 

The interim head coach came to Fisk University originally as a social media manager before transitioning into an assistant coach role, and formally taking over as head coach after our original head coach’s resignation during the 2024-2025 season, despite not having any prior collegiate coaching experience. 

Throughout the season, I dealt with inconsistencies through the new leadership in an unsustainable environment such as inappropriate language, lack of preparation for practices, and favoritism. In my experience that showed through not being spoken to or acknowledged for entire practices, relying on my teammates for assistance.

There were also several moments where my character and commitment were questioned, especially during difficult times with my mental health, and where I was spoken about negatively by the interim to others. I was not a favorite of the interim, which resulted in myself barely competing or traveling the entirety of my senior season, as many noticed, no matter how well I did in practice. When finally given the opportunity to compete or exhibition, I would have severe anxiety attacks the day of, knowing the massive pressure on me as it was expected for me to fail. It was enough to finalize my decision to retire a month early, to heal and not lose my love of gymnastics. 

These behaviors didn’t go unnoticed. Myself and other team members have had multiple meetings and discussions with the athletic director about the interim’s actions and ways to improve our environment, yet nothing was done. At the end of the 2024-2025 season, the gymnasts expressed our issues and some solutions to counteract how negative the environment was, and admitted our fears of speaking up and being seen as complainers. The athletic director assured us she heard our concerns and even appeared at a practice afterwards to check-in. But nothing else was done. We’ve had several staff members, alumni, and others on our side that truly did their best to help and support us, but that alone wasn’t enough for the final blow that came our way. 

The team was announced to come to an end after the 2025-2026 season. I was shocked. How could they get rid of gymnastics? A team that brought much attention to our beloved alma mater and meant so much to the alumni, students, and aspiring HBCU gymnasts? A team that radiates representation and inspiration to the next generation of gymnasts? To give up on a program that rocked the collegiate world and disregard the athletes it affects is devastating, yet happens more than is admitted. 

NCAA Gymnastics is one of the fastest growing sports in the country, and Fisk Gymnastics specifically brought so much publicity to HBCUs and Fisk University as a whole. To be unheard, ignored, and not taken seriously when it pertains to our safety and environment, is a shame. Our program wasn’t unsustainable; it was thriving. Despite the challenges, we created a team of All-Americans, scholar athletes, trailblazers, champions and incredible young women who deserved to be heard and supported, honestly and respectfully. 

I have waited until the end of the season to finally speak my truth, not to bring shame to the amazing program that we built, or tarnish a legacy, but to bring light and awareness to the well-being of student-athletes at all colleges and universities, especially HBCUs, and to show young girls you should always advocate and speak up for yourself. 

HBCU gymnastics is a beautiful idea that has taken the world by storm and deserves the love, attention, and support from all participants to continue to succeed. I pray for all those affected to heal and hold onto their love for gymnastics despite the challenges and obstacles faced. No matter what, we have made history and created a culture in gymnastics unlike any other.

#ForeverFirst