In a display of skill and determination that shattered barriers, Morgan Price, a Fisk University gymnast, etched her name into the annals of sports history by clinching a national collegiate gymnastics championship. This victory marks her as the first athlete from a historically Black college or university (HBCU) to achieve such a feat, according to CBS News.
Competing at the USA Gymnastics' 2024 Women's Collegiate National Championships in West Chester, Pennsylvania, Price scored an all-around 39.225, catapulting her to the top and securing not just a win, but emblematic status as "the first USAG Collegiate National Champion from an HBCU," a title confirmed by USA Gymnastics. The dedicated athlete, originally committed to the University of Arkansas, joined the trailblazing gymnastics team at Nashville's Fisk University in 2023, making history after graduation. Attempting to honor and inspire, Price leaped far beyond the mat, according to Essence Magazine.
Pricing on the decision to switch schools, the gymnast wanted to create a legacy that would resonate with younger African American girls, showcasing that HBCUs can compete with the longstanding powerhouses of collegiate gymnastics. "I just feel like it's an honor and kind of just living out my legacy, and being able to show my talents and do it at an HBCU is just so honoring to me," Price said in an interview with CBS News. Her commitment to this goal was further reinforced by her coach, Corrinne Tarver, herself a pioneering force as the first Black gymnast to claim the NCAA all-around title.
The historical importance of Price's accomplishments also taps into a broader narrative of cultural pride and unity within the landscape of collegiate sports. Fisk University's gymnastic team has quickly risen to prominence, achieving sold-out meets and featuring prominently on networks like ESPN. "I have learned that it is enjoyable to be around your culture. Since we are the first, we have a lot of eyes on us, and our support system is excellent. Seeing the fans and little girls cheering us on was super fun," Price mentioned in 2023, as reported by CBS News.
