Iowa State says it plans to add another women’s sports program to replace women’s gymnastics.
Iowa State University announced Tuesday it is discontinuing its women’s gymnastics program, a decision Athletics Director Jamie Pollard said department leadership stands firmly behind.In a video statement, Pollard said athletics officials are unified in the move.“We are all on the same page … that this is the right decision for our athletic program and our student-athletes,” he said.The announcement comes just weeks after the Cyclones’ 2026 season was prematurely canceled due to safety concerns. The team was 2-8 at the time and had six meets remaining on its schedule, including competitions against Western Michigan on Feb. 13, Arizona State on Feb. 22, Arizona on Feb. 27, BYU on March 6 and Iowa on March 13, along with the Big 12 Gymnastics Championships on March 21.In a letter to student-athletes and families obtained by KCCI, Pollard cited internal conflicts between teammates, coaching staff members and parents, describing them as “unreconcilable differences” that prevented the team from safely practicing and competing. He said the issues were specific to the gymnastics program and not seen elsewhere in the department.“We do not see those type of issues in our 17 other sports,” Pollard said.According to the university, the decision followed a recommendation from senior athletic department leadership after meeting with individuals who work closely with the program.The gymnastics program has faced challenges before. Pollard said concerns raised in 2018 prompted a review and changes aimed at addressing issues. Similar problems resurfaced about five years later, leading to another internal review in 2023 that resulted in a complete coaching staff change.“The 2023 study ultimately resulted in our making a complete change in our coaching staff,” Pollard said.In discontinuing the program, Iowa State said it will honor scholarships for current team members as they complete their degrees. Athletes who wish to continue competing will be allowed to transfer, and the department will work with the NCAA on waivers so impacted student-athletes can receive an additional year of eligibility after the 2025-26 season was canceled following four competitions.Pollard said funding previously allocated to gymnastics will be redirected to another women’s sport, one that provides equal or additional participation opportunities. Some students have suggested women’s wrestling as a possibility.“We could put more funding into women’s wrestling team. Wrestling is on the rise in Iowa,” said Youssef Rezekallah, an ISU first-year student.Others on campus expressed sympathy for the athletes affected by the decision.“My heart kind of hurts for those athletes … who have worked hard for what they want to do in their sport and now their dream kind of got crushed,” said Laina Subbert, an ISU junior.Iowa State athletics said Pollard’s video statement is the only interview being conducted at this time as the department works with student-athletes and the NCAA to address eligibility concerns.The university has not discontinued an athletics program since 2001, when men’s swimming and diving and baseball were eliminated.Pollard released a video explaining the decision to discontinue the gymnastics program. You can watch that here:» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
Iowa State University announced Tuesday it is discontinuing its women’s gymnastics program, a decision Athletics Director Jamie Pollard said department leadership stands firmly behind.
In a video statement, Pollard said athletics officials are unified in the move.
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“We are all on the same page … that this is the right decision for our athletic program and our student-athletes,” he said.
The announcement comes just weeks after the Cyclones’ 2026 season was prematurely canceled due to safety concerns. The team was 2-8 at the time and had six meets remaining on its schedule, including competitions against Western Michigan on Feb. 13, Arizona State on Feb. 22, Arizona on Feb. 27, BYU on March 6 and Iowa on March 13, along with the Big 12 Gymnastics Championships on March 21.
In a letter to student-athletes and families obtained by KCCI, Pollard cited internal conflicts between teammates, coaching staff members and parents, describing them as “unreconcilable differences” that prevented the team from safely practicing and competing. He said the issues were specific to the gymnastics program and not seen elsewhere in the department.
“We do not see those type of issues in our 17 other sports,” Pollard said.
According to the university, the decision followed a recommendation from senior athletic department leadership after meeting with individuals who work closely with the program.
The gymnastics program has faced challenges before. Pollard said concerns raised in 2018 prompted a review and changes aimed at addressing issues. Similar problems resurfaced about five years later, leading to another internal review in 2023 that resulted in a complete coaching staff change.
“The 2023 study ultimately resulted in our making a complete change in our coaching staff,” Pollard said.
In discontinuing the program, Iowa State said it will honor scholarships for current team members as they complete their degrees. Athletes who wish to continue competing will be allowed to transfer, and the department will work with the NCAA on waivers so impacted student-athletes can receive an additional year of eligibility after the 2025-26 season was canceled following four competitions.
Pollard said funding previously allocated to gymnastics will be redirected to another women’s sport, one that provides equal or additional participation opportunities. Some students have suggested women’s wrestling as a possibility.
“We could put more funding into women’s wrestling team. Wrestling is on the rise in Iowa,” said Youssef Rezekallah, an ISU first-year student.
Others on campus expressed sympathy for the athletes affected by the decision.
“My heart kind of hurts for those athletes … who have worked hard for what they want to do in their sport and now their dream kind of got crushed,” said Laina Subbert, an ISU junior.
Iowa State athletics said Pollard’s video statement is the only interview being conducted at this time as the department works with student-athletes and the NCAA to address eligibility concerns.
The university has not discontinued an athletics program since 2001, when men’s swimming and diving and baseball were eliminated.
Pollard released a video explaining the decision to discontinue the gymnastics program. You can watch that here:
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