When Dancing With The Stars kicked off, no one quite expected to see pommel horse sensation Stephen Nedoroscik in the mix, but what a delightful surprise it was! Fresh off his historic bronze win at the Paris Olympics—where he not only secured his own medal but helped end a 16-year medal drought for the U.S. men’s gymnastics team—Nedoroscik’s journey has been a thrilling ascent ever since.

Making his DWTS debut on September 17, he paired up with pro dancer Rylee Arnold. He brought all the energy and athletic flair from the gymnastics floor straight to the dance stage. Performing to Adam Lambert’s rendition of Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now,” his routine was an absolute crowd-pleaser, blending his gymnastic prowess with some serious dance moves that left the audience buzzing. And now, he’s got something extra exciting lined up for next week!

USA Gymnastics took to X to share a clip of Stephen Nedoroscik revealing the heart behind his next performance. And if you guessed it was dedicated to the men’s gymnastics teams, you’re spot on! In the video, Nedoroscik passionately shared his mission, explaining that this week’s dance is a tribute to men’s gymnastics—a sport that he feels is slowly fading in the U.S. He said it was crucial to spotlight this issue, noting that “it’s a dying sport in United States.”

He stressed how crucial the NCAA is for developing Olympic talent, noting that “every single Olympic team member was a NCAA gymnast.” However, he highlighted the struggle with funding cuts and reduced scholarships, which threaten the sport’s future. For him and the entire men’s gymnastics community, it’s vital to keep these programs alive.

Reflecting on the significance of the recent victory, Nedoroscik mentioned the team’s monumental achievement of securing their first team medal in 16 years, calling it a turning point. He said this is a crucial moment for men’s gymnastics to regain its strength and presence in the country, adding, “I really want this dance to represent how much it means to me.” This performance isn’t just about dance; it’s a rallying call to keep the spirit and future of the sport alive!

Moreover, he isn’t alone in advocating for men’s gymnastics; his teammate Fred Richards has also shared his thoughts. As part of the second Gold Over America Tour, Richards is helping bring men into the spotlight. The inaugural tour highlighted women’s sports, but this time, the men are joining in. As Richards put it, “[Men’s and women’s gymnastics] is different. It’s still very, very flashy and very cool, and a lot of people love to see it.” He adds that when people think of athletes, “they don’t really know what to think of a male gymnast… So this is where we show our personality.” But what did Nedoroscik mean about NCAA funding cuts?

What are funding cuts in the NCAA that Stephen Nedoroscik mentioned about?

The NCAA’s data highlights a significant decline in men’s gymnastics, with participation dropping from 59 Division I programs in 1981 to just 12 in 2024—an alarming 80% decrease. This downturn comes amid plans for a revenue-sharing model that could allow universities to allocate up to $21 million for athletes each year, forcing tough decisions about funding and potentially threatening the future of men’s gymnastics.

NBC4’s sports anchor Whitney Harding pointed out, “We knew this was a possibility… changes are coming to how money in college sports is spent.” With new NCAA rules allowing universities to pay certain athletes, men’s gymnastics may face the brunt of these financial shifts, impacting the distribution of scholarships across teams.

Ohio State University, once hopeful because of strong administrative backing, now faces challenges. Four years ago, Gymnastics Director Drew Moling appreciated the support, saying, “Our athletic department is still supporting us as much as they can.” However, 2x Olympic bronze medalist Stephen Nedoroscik raised concerns on X, declaring, “Ohio State removing athletic scholarships from Men’s Gymnastics. Yet again, another step backwards for MGYM.” Despite his recent bronze win, Nedoroscik’s accomplishments in the sport are overshadowed by uncertainties, as more institutions may choose to do the same. But for now, he’s shining on DWTS, dedicating his performance to bringing attention to men’s gymnastics!