AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State gymnastics season ended abruptly on , leaving athletes and alumni grappling with uncertainty and a lack of clear answers. The decision, announced by Senior Associate Athletics Director for Student Services Shamaree Brown, cited a “combination of injuries and other health issues” as the reason for canceling the remainder of the season, but details remain scarce, fueling concern about the program’s future.
The cancellation came just days after the Cyclones were forced to forfeit a meet against West Virginia on due to insufficient available athletes, as stated by head coach Ashley Miles Greig. Brown confirmed to USA TODAY Sports Network that individual meetings were held with gymnasts following the season’s end, and that administrators met with the coaching staff on .
The abruptness of the decision has left current gymnasts feeling vulnerable. A parent of a current team member, speaking anonymously for fear of repercussions for their child, expressed deep anxiety. “They’re scared,” the parent said. “My concern is that my daughter has no idea what her future holds: how many years she has left of gymnastics, where she’s going to be going to school, what’s going to go on?”
Former Iowa State gymnast Shea Mattingly, along with over 100 alumni, have mobilized to demand transparency from the university. They drafted a statement outlining their concerns and emailed it to key administrators, including Brown, Athletics Director Jamie Pollard, and interim university president David Spalding. “As alumni, we just want accountability that the university is doing what’s right for those student-athletes and the program,” Mattingly explained. “Those are our biggest concerns and I think the silence is killing it and I think that’s what’s scary. I’m sure you see all the rumors that are (spreading) all over the internet and I think the longer it goes on, the worse it gets. People just speculating. That’s where we’re just trying to get answers.”
The alumni group’s concerns center not only on the well-being of current athletes but also on the long-term viability of the program. Josie Te Slaa, a former Cyclone gymnast, emphasized the importance of support for the team during this difficult time. “I think just any way that alumni or administration can support them and reach out, have an encouraging word, will be helpful in advocating for them and the program,” Te Slaa said. “Setting up different counseling or therapy or getting together team meetings and just talking in ways that could be supportive for the future of Iowa State gymnastics. I think the girls just need a lot of support from that end emotionally, mentally.”
While the university has acknowledged the situation, communication has been limited. Te Slaa noted that responses from Iowa State have been “very vague,” but expressed gratitude for receiving a response at all. “I am very grateful that we have gotten a response and that we are respected in that way, that they were able to respond to us, maybe not answering specific questions or anything,” she said.
The immediate future for the gymnasts remains uncertain. Iowa State has initiated the process of requesting season-of-competition waivers from the NCAA, which could allow athletes to retain a year of eligibility. Brown confirmed on that the waiver request process is ongoing, but offered no timeline for a decision. The NCAA transfer portal for women’s gymnastics opens on , providing another potential avenue for athletes seeking to continue their careers elsewhere.
Beyond the immediate impact on athletes, the cancellation raises questions about the financial health of the Iowa State gymnastics program and the athletic department as a whole. Financial reports show the gymnastics program operated at a loss of over $1.4 million in fiscal year 2025, generating $287,392 in revenue against $1.69 million in expenses. The athletic department is facing a potential $147 million budget deficit through 2031, largely due to the new revenue-sharing model in collegiate sports and the increasing costs of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) payments to athletes.
The university has not ruled out the possibility of eliminating the gymnastics program entirely. When asked directly about this possibility, Brown stated that the priority remains on supporting the gymnasts. However, the financial pressures facing the athletic department could lead to difficult decisions regarding non-revenue sports.
As of , the coaching staff, led by Ashley Miles Greig, remains employed, but their future is also uncertain, with Miles Greig’s contract expiring on . The Cyclones had a 2-8 record before the season was halted, and were ranked 59th nationally, the lowest among Power Five conference programs.
Currently, gymnasts are prohibited from using Iowa State’s facilities, a restriction Brown attributed to “concerns that were raised, which ultimately led to the suspension of the season.” He declined to elaborate on the nature of those concerns. Athletes are permitted to train at private gyms, but only in groups of two or fewer, according to NCAA policy. Many have already reactivated their recruiting profiles on social media, signaling a potential wave of transfers.
