Talladega College’s Gymnastics Program Ends Abruptly After One Year
Kyrstin Johnson, a gymnast at Talladega College, was devastated when she learned that the historically Black college’s gymnastics program would be discontinued after just one year. Johnson, who had received a full scholarship to the college and uprooted her life to move from Maryland to Alabama, expressed her frustration and disappointment.
The closure of the program left Johnson and her family questioning their future and wondering how to move forward. Despite the challenges, Johnson was proud of her accomplishments as a Tornado gymnast, having won gold in the vault at the 2024 USA Gymnastics Women’s Collegiate National Championships.
Gymnastics, a popular sport, especially after the success of the Olympic teams led by Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles, brought Johnson a sense of belonging to a historically Black college where she could connect with her culture and fellow athletes. However, the closure of the program left her feeling as though all the memories and progress made with her team were erased.
Brown Girls Do Gymnastics had helped bring the program to Talladega, aiding in recruitment and financial support. Despite efforts to save the program through fundraising, the gymnastics program ultimately came to an end. Fortunately, many of the athletes were able to transfer to other historically Black colleges to continue their gymnastics careers.
Johnson landed a spot on Temple University’s gymnastics team and reflected fondly on her time at Talladega College, expressing pride in the team’s accomplishments. While the program’s closure was a disappointment, Johnson and her teammates found strength in their experiences and the bond they shared throughout the year.
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