AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State University Athletics Department will discontinue its women’s gymnastics program and replace it with another sport that provides equal or additional participation opportunities for women, Endowed ISU Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard announced today.
Scholarship commitments will be honored for any women’s gymnast who elects to remain at ISU to complete their degree program and they will continue to be afforded access to all departmental services available to Cyclone student-athletes through the duration of their undergraduate academic career.
A video statement from Pollard on this decision can be viewed here:
Iowa State Gymnastics FAQ
Why was ISU’s 2026 gymnastics season cancelled after four competitions?
The decision to suspend the season resulted from a series of complex internal conflicts between individual teammates, coaching staff members, and parents. These conflicts created unreconcilable differences that not only prevented our team from competing, but they also prevented team members from carrying on their daily activities, including practice. In the end, suspending the remainder of the season was the only viable alternative after in-depth conversations with the student-athletes, coaching and support staff members.
What will happen to the gymnasts on this year’s ISU team?
They will have the option to remain at Iowa State to complete their degrees, in which case, their scholarships will be honored, and they will have full access to the services available to all Cyclone student-athletes. They will also have the option to transfer to other universities to compete in gymnastics and would be supported throughout this process, too. Our department will also work with the NCAA on waivers for impacted to student-athletes to receive an additional year of competition since ISU’s 2025-26 season was cancelled after four competitions.
What type of services are available to the impacted student-athletes?
ISU gymnasts will continue to have access to all support services and benefits that were previously available to them as a member of the gymnastics team to include:
- Medical & Athletic Training – Full access to athletic trainers, team physicians and rehabilitation services.
- Mental Health & Counseling – Confidential mental health support is available through the athletic department’s mental health services staff.
- Academic Support – Tutoring, academic advising, learning specialists and study hall remain fully available.
- Student-Athlete Development – Life-skills programming, career services and leadership development opportunities will continue.
What will happen to the incoming recruits for the 2026-27 academic year?
Like ISU’s current student-athletes, they will have the opportunity to attend Iowa State and have their scholarship agreements honored.
What will happen to the gymnastics coaches?
They have been notified their employment agreements will not be renewed.
How long has ISU had a women’s gymnastics program?
The program started in 1973-74 and won four conference championships, the most recent of which came in 2006.
When was the last time ISU discontinued a sports program?
Iowa State has discontinued four men’s programs since 1994—men’s gymnastics (1994), men’s tennis (1994), baseball (2001) and men’s swimming & diving (2001).
How will ISU identify its next women’s sport to add?
The ISU Athletics Department will take the next several months to research options which provide meaningful participation and scholarship opportunities for future Iowa State students.
