Fisk University, a historically Black university and college (HBCU) in Nashville, Tennessee, had its first gymnastic practice in 156 years.
A viral TikTok video from Zyia (Zyiaalexys) shows the gymnastic team of HBCU students practicing their runs, backflips, front flips and stretches. The young women also practiced their flips on balance beams as part of the minute-long video.
The video has accumulated over 115.9K likes and almost 400K views overnight.
@zyiaalexys first hbcu gymnastics team!! lets get it!💙💛. #trending #viral #fypシ #gymnastics #fiskuniversity ♬ original sound – Blue Nightmare
Earlier this year, Fisk university announced the launch of its “Intercollegiate Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Team,” becoming the first HBCU to offer the program.
In a statement, Fisk stated that the team would represent the university’s determination, excellence and commitment to an equitable future.
“Woman’s gymnastics exemplifies the values of Fisk University: determination, excellence, and a commitment to a more just and equitable future,” the statement reads. “These values have consistently been at the forefront of women’s gymnastics, and Fisk could not be more excited to welcome these remarkable student-athletes to the campus starting this coming fall.”
“Woman’s gymnastics exemplifies the values of Fisk University: determination, excellence, and a commitment to a more just and equitable future,”
Fisk University is launching the first HBCU women’s gymnastic program this fall.https://t.co/sRlbW4rBj7
— First and Pen (@firstandpen) February 12, 2022
In May, Morgan Price, an honored gymnast, announced her commitment to Fisk after initially committing to the University of Arkansas last year. Instead, the 16-year-old opted to be a part of history by joining Fisk’s gymnastic team.
“When that opportunity came up for me,” Price said. “the only thing on my mind was to support it because they did it for young people just like me.”
Price graduated from Coppell High School later that month.
