Morgan Price, a gymnast hailing from Fisk University in Nashville, recently became the first historically Black college and university (HBCU) student to win a national collegiate gymnastics championship. The historic victory unfolded at the USA Gymnastics’ 2024 Women’s Collegiate national Champions on April 12, during which Price finished with an all-around score of 39.225.
Initially committed to the University of Arkansas on a full scholarship, she redirected her path to Fisk University after gymnastics coach Corrine Tarver — the first Black gymnast to win the NCAA all-around title — asked if she wanted to make history by helping her build an elite HBCU program.
“That was a huge leap of faith,” Tarver told a Dallas news station in 2022. “It really was. I’m so blessed that Morgan took that leap of faith with me. This was building a program out of nothing. She took that leap, even though I didn’t have all the answers at the time.”
Reflecting on her experience in an interview with CBS, Price highlighted the significance of representation and support. Growing up as one of the few Black gymnasts on her team, she found solace and empowerment in Fisk’s diverse and supportive environment.
“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 the interview. “I made the decision to switch just to inspire the younger generation so that younger African American girls can see that HBCU gymnastics is a thing and that we can compete with the best of the best.”
