Fisk University Is Making History With HBCU Gymnastics Program
Fisk Gymnastics
By: Adonis Armstrong
Jordynn Cromartie entered her senior year of high school going through a tough decision; a decision many other Black gymnasts have been struggling with for years. The Houston native wanted to go to a predominantly Black college or university, and she wanted to continue to play the sport she loves and committed her whole life to.
Cromartie had one issue; she knew it was a strong possibility she couldn’t do both. While talking to her Uncle during Thanksgiving, Frank Simmons, who is on the Board of Trustees at Fisk University, Cromartie discussed her concerns about going to Fisk, which is a private HBCU located in Nashville, Tennessee with around 1,000 students.
“He and my aunt were like, ‘Oh you haven’t made a decision, you should come to Fisk,’” Cromartie said. “I’m like, ‘Well, they don’t have a gymnastics team.’ To go to a college that doesn’t have what I would be working for forever was crazy to me.” Simmons gave her some hope by saying, “I’ll make it happen.”
Within the span of many weeks, Simmons connected with the founder of Atlanta based, Brown Girls Do Gymnastics owner, Derrin Moore, who has been attempting to drum up support for gymnastics at an HBCU, specifically with Fisk trustees. One trustee was very in tune with Moore’s pitch and generously donated $100,000 if Fisk would adopt the sport.
Fisk University will make history Friday afternoon in Las Vegas at the Orleans Arena becoming the first HBCU to participate in an NCAA women’s gymnastics meet. The Bulldogs are set to compete against Southern Utah, Washington, and North Carolina as part of the inaugural Super 16, an event that includes some tough perennial NCAA powerhouses like Oklahoma, Michigan, and UCLA.
With the emergence and popularity of Olympic champions Gabby Douglas and Simone Biles, the face of gymnastics has been changing. It started with the help of Biles winning in 2012, becoming the first Black woman to win Olympic gold.
Hopefully, in the future more HBCUs will follow in the footsteps of Fisk University and get out of their comfort zones and help expand the opportunity for athletes to choose the legacy with the opportunity to do what they love.
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