AMES, Iowa – , Iowa State gymnasts arrived at Beyer Hall expecting a normal practice ahead of their scheduled home meet against Western Michigan on . Instead, they received the stunning news that their season was canceled, leaving athletes, alumni, and fans grappling with uncertainty and a lack of clear answers.
The decision, announced by Iowa State senior associate athletics director Shamaree Brown, cited a lack of available student-athletes as the reason for the cancellation. “After a careful and thoughtful review of the program over the last week, it became apparent that we do not have enough student-athletes available to safely compete, and thus have made the painful decision to cancel the remainder of our gymnastics season,” Brown said in a statement. “The health, safety and overall welfare of our student-athletes is paramount, and it is our responsibility to ensure that they are able to safely train and compete at the highest level.”
The cancellation followed a previous forfeiture against West Virginia on , where coach Ashley Miles Greig stated the team did not have enough athletes to safely field a team. The abrupt end to the season has sparked anxiety among current gymnasts, particularly regarding their futures and potential transfer options.
“They’re scared,” said a parent of a current gymnast, speaking anonymously out of fear of repercussions for their child. “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?”
The lack of transparency from the university has further fueled concerns. A group of over 100 Iowa State gymnastics alumni have mobilized, drafting a statement demanding accountability and answers. They emailed the statement to Iowa State administrators, including Brown, athletic 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,” said Shea Mattingly, a former Iowa State gymnast. “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.”
Josie Te Slaa, another alumna, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the need for support for current gymnasts. “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.”
The university has confirmed it is working with the Big 12 Conference to apply for season-of-competition waivers for the gymnasts, potentially allowing them to retain a year of NCAA eligibility. However, Brown stated on that there is no timeline for the completion of this process. “We are currently working through the various factors required for an NCAA waiver request; however, we are not able to provide a date for when waivers will be submitted,” Brown wrote in an email. “The NCAA waiver process is complex and, in some cases, may require submission by another institution depending on the situation.”
The future of the program itself remains uncertain. When asked directly whether the university was considering eliminating the gymnastics program, Brown responded that the priority remained on supporting the athletes. However, the program’s financial situation raises questions about its long-term viability.
Iowa State’s financial report for fiscal year 2025 showed the gymnastics program operating at a loss of over $1.4 million, generating $287,392 in revenue against $1.69 million in expenses. This financial strain comes as the athletic department faces a potential $147 million budget deficit through 2031, largely due to the new revenue-sharing era in collegiate sports and the increasing costs associated with name, image, and likeness (NIL) payments to athletes.
Adding to the complexity, current gymnasts have been barred from using Iowa State’s gymnastics facilities, citing unspecified “concerns.” Brown declined to elaborate on these concerns or who raised them. NCAA policy allows gymnasts to train at private gyms, but limits group sizes to two athletes at a time.
In the wake of the cancellation, reports indicate that at least half of the Cyclone gymnasts have reactivated their recruiting profiles on Instagram, posting videos of their routines, suggesting a potential wave of transfers. The NCAA transfer portal for women’s gymnastics opens on .
Despite the turmoil, coach Ashley Miles Greig and her assistant coaches – Jazmyn Estrella, Mary Wise, and Ragan Smith – remain employed by the university, according to Brown. Miles Greig’s contract is set to expire on .
The Cyclones finished the abbreviated season with a 2-8 record and a national ranking of 59th, the lowest among Power Five conference programs. The situation at Iowa State underscores the growing financial pressures facing collegiate gymnastics programs and the profound impact these decisions have on the student-athletes involved.