Iowa State discontinues women’s gymnastics program

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State is ending its women’s gymnastics program.

The decision, announced Tuesday by athletic director Jimmy Pollard, comes shortly after the school canceled the remainder of the 2026 season due to what Pollard called “irresolvable” issues between players, coaches and parents.

Bullard said the school will replace gymnastics with another women’s sport that “provides equal or additional participation opportunities” for female athletes.

The school will honor scholarships for current or incoming gymnasts who choose to remain at the university, including ensuring that they will continue to access all department services available to Iowa State student-athletes. Pollard added that the athletic department will also assist any gymnasts who choose to enter the transfer portal.

The contracts of members of the coaching staff, including coach Ashley Miles Gregg, will not be renewed.

Pollard called the move “the right decision for our athletics program and our student-athletes,” citing a pattern of issues within the program over the past decade.

Women’s gymnastics underwent a “complete review” in 2018 due to various issues. In 2023, the university hired a Minnesota-based law firm to conduct an independent evaluation of the program, which led to sweeping changes that included the hiring of a new coaching staff.

When similar issues arose three years later, Iowa State initially opted to cancel the remainder of the season because Pollard said “the student-athletes felt the struggles were too problematic” and they could not continue.

The leadership council within the university spent weeks speaking with various stakeholders about the program before recommending the discontinuation of women’s gymnastics.

“The student-athlete experience is the core of what our department prides itself on,” Bullard said. “Our continued inability to provide a (positive) experience for members of our women’s gymnastics team… is extremely disappointing and concerning.”

Finances did not play a role in the decision, Bullard said, adding that any sports the Hurricanes eventually add could be as expensive, if not more expensive, at the venues.

Iowa State has won four women’s gymnastics titles, most recently in 2006.