“Ohio State is removing athletic scholarships from men’s gymnastics. Yet again, another step backwards for MGYM. With the success of current and former NCAA gymnasts at the Olympics, you’d think NCAA programs would be excited for the upcoming season, not stripping away opportunities,” said Stephen Nedoroscik on X, days after his tribute performance to male gymnastics in Dancing With the Stars. The gymnast knew that NCAA gymnastics was in big trouble.
According to data from the NCAA itself, there were 59 men’s Division 1 gymnastics programs back in 1981. This number has now dropped to 12 in 2024, showing the steep decline of the sport. Ohio State was the latest college to cut off the program, announcing the decision in October. It raised heavy concerns for the future of the sport as a whole and how fans will need to save it.
Now, after Stephen Nedoroscik raised his voice and made the issue known to the world, the whole US male team has come forward. This includes Paul Juda, Shane Wiskus, Yul Moldauer, Frederick Richard, and Brody Malone. They have appealed to the audience to help them save their sport in a YouTube video. “I’m asking you to help us save NCAA men’s gymnastics,” said Brody Malone in the video.
After that, the gymnasts spoke about why the sport is so important to them as it shaped their childhoods. “I started gymnastics at 4 years old. Then in my whole life I never did another sport,” said Fred Richards. After that, the gymnasts spoke about how the NCAA is so important to their development in the sport, which is why college gymnastics must be promoted.
“For me, the NCAA took me from, you know, being quote unquote a boy to a man, and uh, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the program and the coaches and my teammates,” said Shane Wiskus. Thus, they were all appealing to the audience to help save their sport, which they loved so dearly.
This story is developing…
After Sad Stephen Nedoroscik’s Plea, US Team Voices Out to Save NCAA Gymnastics: ‘Help Us’
