“It Is Too Late”: Talladega College Gymnasts’ $500,000 Plea Uncovers Dark Side of the Sport

History makers like James Kanati Allen, Luci Collins, Dianne Durham, Gabby Douglas, and others paved the way for today’s success of athletes of color in gymnastics. Just look at the milestones: in 2022, we cheered as the U.S. Championships saw its first all-black podium, followed by another “Black girl magic” in 2023 at the World Championships. And who could forget 2022, when Fisk University shook things up by launching the first-ever gymnastics team at a historically black college or university? Today, stars like Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles, Shilese Jones, Suni Lee, Jade Carey, Hezly Rivera, Joscelyn Roberson, and Leanne Wong are leading one of the most diverse teams heading to the Olympics, inspiring young black and brown gymnasts to chase their dreams.

But, despite years of hard work, there are still challenges holding back teens from these communities in U.S. gymnastics. A recent example has come to light. Being the second college to introduce the women’s artistic gymnastics team in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), Talladega College has its fame. But now it is going to close the mentioned department. Such a step could invite a survival tryout from the college gymnasts, and that is going on right now. 

Talladega College gymnastics goes from making history to fighting for survival

Since the news of closing the gymnastics program in Talladega College was made public last week, the lady tornadoes have been trying everything to make things settle again. The closing of the program means a death knell to their dreams of continuing their education and gymnastics lessons simultaneously. So defying that axing on their dreams, the gymnasts have put a statement on the GoFundMe website to raise a fund of $500,000.

They want to submit this fund to the Talladega College authority, as their statement in GoFundMe reads, “We know that our goal is daunting, but without it we will be forced to put our education and athletic careers on hold. It is too late for our team to find homes.” Till Sunday, they were successful in raising $2,862 for the fund. Still, there is alot of ground left to cover. 

The news of the closing of the women’s gymnastics team at Talladega College was nothing less than a massive blow to the concerned gymnasts. The program had earned a historic distinction and was a beacon of hope for aspiring Black gymnasts everywhere. No one saw this coming. Even Dr. Walter M. Kimbrough, the interim president, expressed his surprise and concern about the program’s future.

But at the same time, he added, “This strategic move is part of our broader vision to position Talladega College to be stronger and more vibrant on all levels, ensuring that we can continue to provide exceptional opportunities for our students.” For a program that witnessed its birth last year after inking a partnership with Brown Girls Do Gymnastics (BGDG), the closing could be a result of a certain crisis. Meanwhile, Talladega College has some of that kind. 

Lack of financial help? Dark times for athletes and staff

Last year, on January 14, Talladega College signed a deal with BGDG and HBCU Gymnastics Alliance to introduce itself as the second college (after Fisk University) in the season to introduce the women’s artistic gymnastics team. Meanwhile, in the NCAA, the program tasted victory this year, being the first HBCU. The freshman Kyrstin Johnson claimed the vault event at the USA Gymnastics national championship level. Still, the discontinuation news has appeared. And the prime reason that has driven the program down the road is the financial crisis. 

As per the report, Talladega College has been facing a crunch in funding. Although the college was scheduled to host the 8th Annual BGDG Conference this month,. In such a deciding situation, the college authority found it hard to pay certain employees their salaries. The issue had occurred in May but to announce a solution to it, the college authority took almost a week. Later, the authority confirmed that such a situation would not follow. Yet, the women’s gymnastics team’s dismissal shows the situation has rotted a sizeable chunk in the financial structure.

And the question may still come, as only the women’s artistic gymnastics team has found itself at the receiving end. Therefore, is there any lack of approach or goodwill to carry out the program? Well, the Black and Brown teenagers who take pride in calling themselves gymnasts from Talladega College are standing on the edge of uncertainty. Only a hearty contribution can save their future. Will this plea ring some bells? No one knows.