Talladega College announced earlier this week that, due to financial constraints, it would eliminate the gymnastics program after one year.
The Talladega College gymnasts aren’t going out without a fight, however. They are beginning a crowdfunding effort to keep the program going.
“With one hour to prepare, the Talladega team was told that the announcement would go public and that their team would be no more,” a portion of a statement on GoFundMe read. “Tears in their eyes and sadness in their hearts, they congratulated each other on their accomplishments given the short time that they had,” the crowdfunding message reads. “24 hours later, they decided they weren’t taking no for an answer!”
The gymnasts are looking to raise $500,000 to save the program. As of Sunday, the effort has raised $2,862 for the cause.
“This fundraiser was created to show the world that Dega Gym is here to stay, and the community is behind them 100%,” the message continues. “We know that our goal is daunting, but without it, we will be forced to put our education and athletic careers on hold. It is too late for our team to find homes. More than the aforementioned, we wouldn’t want to if we could. We set forth on a journey to make history and we are not done yet!”
The Tornadoes made history in their first season, as freshman Kyrstin Johnson won the USA Gymnastics national championship in the vault event. They also were the first HBCU to win an NCAA-sanctioned meet.
