Courtesy of Wilberforce University
Wilberforce University is set to make history as it hosts the inaugural Isla® HBCU Classic from Feb. 14-16, 2025. The three-day event organized by The Isla® Foundation and Brown Girls Do Gymnastics is dedicated to showcasing diversity and excellence in gymnastics and cheerleading.
The Isla® HBCU Classic will feature a collegiate competition featuring Fisk University and Wilberforce University. The schools are the only Historically Black College and Universities that have women’s gymnastics teams. The event will culminate on Sunday, February 16, with gymnastics club and collegiate meets, providing an exciting platform for the athletes.
Wilberforce’s newly formed gymnastics team officially debuted in January, welcoming gymnasts displaced by the conclusion of Talladega College’s program. Dr. Morgan Byrd, Wilberforce University’s Women’s Gymnastics Coach, expressed her enthusiasm about the event. “Hosting the Isla® HBCU Classic is an extraordinary honor for Wilberforce University,” she said. “This event represents the convergence of excellence, culture, and opportunity.”
As part of the festivities, the Greenville University Gymnastics Team will also participate in the Classic to meet USAG National qualifying requirements.
Setting the Bar
The significance of this event cannot be understated, especially in light of Fisk University’s recent historic achievements. In 2022, Fisk became the first HBCU to form a women’s gymnastics team. The Bulldogs were also the first HBCU gymnastics team to compete on the NCAA level. Corrinne Tarver, alumna of the University of Georgia and the first Black gymnast to win an NCAA all-around national title, leads the Fisk team.
With ongoing efforts to include more Black women in collegiate gymnastics, events like the Isla® HBCU Classic are crucial in inspiring the next generation of athletes. These initiatives challenge existing barriers and celebrate the talents and accomplishments of underrepresented demographics.