Gymnastics News: Morgan Price -1st HBCU Star to Win Title, Ditched Scholarship From Arkansas University for Black History

Where legacy and athleticism collide, the story of progress is paramount. Teen gymnast Morgan Price went all out to make history at Fisk University, unlike other athletes who struggle to settle in a brand-new gymnastics team. The five-star prospect, destined to become a national treasure ditched a full-ride scholarship at Arkansas to play for a Historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) college that didn’t even have a gymnastics facility.

Her bold yet unconventional choice paid off in a historic victory that echoed her vow to make a positive impact on Black history—a mere glimpse of her evolving legacy.

Morgan Price puts HBCU college on victory map

At the USA Gymnastics 2024 Women’s Collegiate National Championships in West Chester, Pennsylvania, the Fisk sophomore, Morgan Price, made history by becoming the first athlete from an HBCU to win a national collegiate gymnastics championship. Price reflected on her historic victory in “CBS Mornings” with her mother and said, “I made the decision to switch just to inspire the younger generation so that younger African-American girls can see that HBCU is a thing and that we can compete with the best of the best.”

After finishing high school, she chose to pioneer gymnastics at an HBCU rather than succumb to the pull of Arkansas. “I knew I would also be making history, well, might as well just make history no matter what happens,” she boldly stated after earning an all-score of 39.225. Price made the choice that thrust her into the public eye but kept her stance clear, saying: “I have always wanted to go to an HBCU mostly because I know that back then African-Americans weren’t even allowed to go to the same school as while people.” More importantly, Morgan Price’s quest for success wasn’t an easy one after her father’s passing.

Leap of faith

Morgan was raised by her mother, Marsha, and her father, Chris Price. Chris Price’s sudden death in 2019, left Marsha, a single mother of three girls. After moving to Coppell, Texas, the Price family took sanctuary at Texas Dreams Gymnastics, a facility renowned for molding members of the national team and top NCAA prospects. Marsha’s tireless commitment to her daughter’s sporting endeavors was embodied by her “leap of faith,” which symbolized her resolute resolve.

Morgan’s expertise blossomed inside Texas Dreams Gymnastics, following in the footsteps of her older sister Frankie, who committed to Arkansas. While Morgan was third in beam in the 2021 Nastia Liukin Cup, she improved, finishing third all-around at the 2022 Women’s Development Program National Championships. Morgan Price leaves her lasting imprint, emerging not only as a gymnastics prodigy but also as a source of inspiration for future generations.