AMES, Iowa — Iowa State is discontinuing its women’s gymnastics program.
This determination, revealed by athletic director Jamie Pollard on Tuesday, follows closely on the heels of the university calling off the remainder of its 2026 season due to what Pollard characterized as “insoluble” conflicts among athletes, mentors, and guardians.
Pollard stated the university intends to substitute gymnastics with a different women’s sport, one that “offers equivalent or enhanced chances for involvement” to female competitors.
The university plans to uphold the scholarships for any present or prospective gymnasts who choose to stay, ensuring they retain entry to all departmental amenities provided to Iowa State student-athletes. Pollard further mentioned that the athletic department will assist any gymnast who decides to enter the transfer registry.
The coaching personnel, comprising head coach Ashley Miles Greig, will not have their agreements extended.
Pollard referred to this action as “the appropriate choice for our athletic division and our student competitors,” pointing to a recurring series of difficulties within the initiative throughout the past ten years.
The women’s gymnastics program experienced a “thorough examination” in 2018 due to diverse problems. In 2023, the institution engaged a Minnesota-based legal practice to conduct an impartial assessment of the program, resulting in extensive modifications, such as introducing a new coaching team.
When comparable difficulties emerged three years subsequent, Iowa State initially elected to call off the remainder of the season, as Pollard indicated that “the student athletes perceived the disagreements to be so troublesome” they were unable to persist.
An executive committee within the university dedicated weeks to conferring with diverse interested parties associated with the program before suggesting that women’s gymnastics should cease.
“The involvement of our student athletes lies at the heart of our department’s immense satisfaction,” Pollard remarked. “Our persistent failure as a department to offer our women’s gymnastics squad members a favorable experience … is disheartening and deeply troubling.”
Pollard asserted that financial considerations were not a factor in the choice, further stating that any sport the Cyclones might ultimately introduce could prove equally costly, if not more so, to maintain.
Iowa State secured four conference championships in women’s gymnastics, with the most recent occurring in 2006.