Ever wondered what most Black female athletes have in common apart from their groundbreaking accomplishments? It’s their resilient journey of unwavering dedication to their sport. Morgan Price, a rising gymnastics star, is no different. She began tumbling at two and made gymnastics her identity after becoming the first athlete from a Historically black college or university (HBCU) to win a national collegiate gymnastics championship.

To inspire more athletes from her race, she transferred to Fisk University (an HBCU college) ditching her scholarship offer from Arkansas University, an NCAA under-25 school. Raised by her single mother following her father’s passing, Morgan Price recently shared she takes inspiration from her parents’ athletic roots.

Inspiration behind Morgan Price’s athletic success

Morgan Price grew up in the Nashville suburb of Lebanon, Tennessee; her family was always connected to athletics. After earning her national title, Morgan proudly shared on CBS Mornings, “I come from two athletic parents my dad Chris Price was a Kansas City Royals baseball player and my mom was a cheerleader at Vanderbilt (University).” The Chicago Cubs drafted Chris M. Price, a relief pitcher, in the 70th round of the 1993 MLB June draft. He was an amateur draft player from Roswell, New Mexico’s Goddard High School. Price once also recalled her father as “an amazing athlete himself, but even more importantly he was a man of integrity.” 

Morgan was only four years old when their lives drastically changed after Chris passed away in a motorbike accident in 2009. Her mother Marsha suddenly had the responsibility of raising three daughters: Frankie, Kristin, and young Morgan. Their family moved from Lebanon, Tennessee to Dallas, Texas after four and a half years, where Marsha pursued her husband’s job in the real estate sector.

Marsha sold her home, resigned from her position, and parted ways with her relatives. Thus, Morgan’s mother is her greatest source of motivation given her constant devotion to fulfilling her daughters’ dreams. In a similar tone, Morgan stated, “My family is super important to me. … (it) has provided me with so much love and support with our decision to relocate to Dallas.” Further highlighting, “We’ve been through a lot with my dad’s sudden passing … but it’s made our bond even stronger.”

Gymnastics prodigy’s baby steps

In an attempt to compete in an SEC program, 16-year-old Morgan visited five schools. Her mother served as both an inspiration and a guiding light to embark on the college recruitment process with an SEC team. “My mom, having been a cheerleader and graduate of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, I’ve grown up around the SEC…she is truly the strongest person I know,” says Morgan.

Morgan quickly became in high demand from college programs since her natural level of difficulty in gymnastics puts her on par with some of the greatest NCAA gymnasts in the nation. Morgan Price initially decided on Arkansas but as it happened, Morgan’s prominence as the first HBCU gymnast to compete in gymnastics has garnered her a lot of attention outside of the SEC. And she stands to use it to inspire the younger African American generation.