On January 15, 2024, Fisk University, the first collegiate gymnastics university to field a gymnastics team, will host a historic meet in Nashville, Tennessee. The black gymnasts will face five other teams led by all black female coaches.
“This will be the first event of its kind in the history of our sport.” said Corinne Tarver, head gymnastics coach at FU.
“There are some more exciting things coming around it. Vanderbilt has been a great partner. We’re thrilled to have the Nashville MLK Day Committee be a partner as well. We want the whole city to come out to watch.”
FU’s gymnasts will be led by coach Corinne Tarver, the first black gymnast to win the NCAA all-around title in 1989. Tarver was also selected as a member of the U.S. National Team during the 1985-86 season.
Participating schools include: Brown University, Iowa State University, Rutgers University, Talladega University, and the University of William and Mary. The event will be held at Vanderbilt University’s Memorial Gymnasium.
The historic meet has now been officially sanctioned as an annual event to celebrate the inclusion of African Americans in sports during MLK Celebration Week in Nashville.
Last year, Fisk University blazed a new trail in gymnastics, becoming the first collegiate gymnastics university to field a team in the discipline. Now a Tennessee HBCU will make history again with a first-of-its-kind competition.
For more information about the 2023-24 FU Gymnasts schedule or to purchase tickets, please visit Fisk University Athletics.