Olivia Dunne, the name millions know, the face of NCAA gymnastics. But inside LSU’s gym, it’s Olivia Dunne who matters. While a knee injury has kept her off the mat, her presence remains undeniable. She’s more than the viral routines and the endorsement deals—she’s a teammate, a competitor, and someone who LSU counts on beyond the spotlight. And now, her coach has something to say about the difference between the two—a perspective that changes everything.

Dunne has competed sparingly this season, appearing in four floor routines, two on beam, and one on bars. Her last outing came in LSU’s narrow loss to Arkansas, after which a knee injury sidelined her. But even in her absence, her influence on the team remains strong. “Livvy is a different person than the one we know,” Clark told ESPN. “The Liv we know is inclusive of everyone, and she gives back to our university and her teammates. We encourage selflessness on our team, and she embodies that.”

Well, that might be true. The athlete who commands so much attention has built an empire beyond gymnastics. With NIL deals surpassing $4.1 million and partnerships with brands from Vuori to Motorola, Olivia Dunne has redefined what it means to be a collegiate athlete in the modern era. She’s not just a gymnast; she’s a brand, a media personality, and an entrepreneur.

Dunne never asked for the spotlight to burn this bright. And yet, here she was—at the intersection of talent, fame, and the ever-expanding world of NIL. Her face on billboards, her routines dissected frame by frame, her name echoing through arenas packed with fans who had never followed NCAA gymnastics before she arrived. But what happens when adoration crosses the line?

In January 2023, the world saw it firsthand. LSU’s season opener at the Jon M. Huntsman Center turned into something no one had expected. Fans came in droves, many not to watch a gymnastics meet but to catch a glimpse of Olivia Dunne. They chanted her name, and held signs proclaiming, “LSU without Livvy isn’t top 25,”.The scene was surreal, unsettling even. It forced Dunne into an unfamiliar role not just a gymnast or a social media star.

She responded swiftly. “I will always appreciate and love the support from you guys,” she tweeted on 8th January 2023, “but if you come to a meet, I want to ask you to please be respectful of the other gymnasts and the gymnastics community as we are just doing our job.”

But Dunne wasn’t content with just words. Six months later, on July 6, 2023, she launched “The Livvy Fund,” a groundbreaking initiative aimed at helping female college athletes navigate the NIL era.

“As a female student-athlete, I have been fortunate enough to build a strong social media following and establish valuable brand partnerships that have launched my career in ways I couldn’t imagine. I am excited to build on this momentum by leveraging my connections and sharing my knowledge in the NIL space to create more opportunities for LSU female-student athletes while emphasizing the importance of bringing NIL funds to women in college sports,” she said.

That was Livvy Dunne in a nutshell! But moving onto this season, the gymnast hasn’t had a great outing and has struggled from Injuries. And has had fans asking, when will the gymnast return. Hold on Jay Clark has an update for you.

Olivia Dunne’s Coach Clark Drops Major Update on LSU Star’s Injury Return to the Lineup

When will LSU gymnastics’ ill fate end? The Tigers fans have been playing the patience card, waiting to see their full roster in action. But setbacks keep piling up. First, a string of injuries. Then, the defending champs slipped to No. 3 in Week 7. And now, Olivia Dunne’s absence is turning heads. What’s going on? Well, the suspense is over. There’s finally an update on Dunne’s status. The last time she competed was against Arkansas, where she delivered a solid 9.7 on the floor, though LSU fell short.

Since then, the Tigers have battled ranked opponents like Missouri, Alabama, and No. 1 Oklahoma without her. Speculation ran wild since no injury had been cited. But now we know—Livvy has been hit by LSU’s gymnastics injury curse.  On February 17, The Advocate revealed that Dunne is dealing with a knee injury. LSU Head Coach Jay Clark confirmed, “Liv’s knee is still an issue. It isn’t a stress fracture, but it is a stress reaction on her kneecap.”

Unfortunately, there’s no quick fix. “The only answer for that is rest,” Clark added. What caused the injury? That’s still unknown. But one thing is clear, despite competing in only seven routines this season (four on floor, two on beam, one on bars), her knee has sidelined her indefinitely. And with no vault appearances this year, the question lingers: When will Livvy be back?