Conference realignment has wreaked havoc on gymnastics, among other sports. It has been a whirlwind of change, and the first effects will be in place for the 2024 season. If you’re having trouble keeping track, you’re not alone! We rounded up the major shifts for this year and let 2025’s huge changes be something to worry about in the future.
There are two big themes this year: Moves in the smaller conferences in the West, as well as the advent of ACC gymnastics. Additionally, we have two new teams this year in Clemson and Talladega. Plus, 2024 will be Lindenwood’s final season.
BYU Is in the Big 12
Just for 2024, the Big 12 will have five teams: BYU, Denver, Iowa State, Oklahoma, and West Virginia. There’s no word yet on the conference championship format, but with just five teams, we can assume they’ll all compete together in one session with a bye.
Mountain West Is Sponsoring Gymnastics
With BYU leaving the MRGC, the Mountain West Conference, the primary conference of several other teams in the MRGC as well as the MPSF, announced it would begin sponsoring gymnastics. It will be home to Air Force, Boise State, San Jose State, and Utah State in 2024.
Southern Utah Moves to the MPSF, and The MRGC Is No More
With the rest of the conference making moves, the Thunderbirds were left without a home. They will compete with the MPSF this season, leaving the MRGC defunct. For 2024, the MPSF will be home to Alaska, Sacramento State, Southern Utah, and UC Davis.
ACC Gymnastics Is Here
With the addition of Clemson, the final Power Five conference—for however long that phrase will still have meaning as realignment continues—has finally added gymnastics to its docket. ACC gymnastics will debut with Clemson, N.C. State, North Carolina, and Pittsburgh this season. If the crowd at Clemson’s Gymnastics 101 is any indication, the conference will be rocking.
Talladega Is the Latest HBCU Addition
A second team will compete in its inaugural season this year. Talladega, an HBCU in Alabama, will debut gymnastics in 2024. It is the second HBCU to add gymnastics after Fisk. Talladega will compete independently in 2024.
This Is Lindenwood’s Final Season
The Lions received the shocking news that their program would be cut just one year after their first season competing as a Division I program. The cut comes amid major changes in the athletic department. Lindenwood will be the MIC’s second loss in recent years, after UIC.
Looking Ahead
While these changes seem overwhelming, the big shock will come in 2025. We’ll recap all of those before that season, but list the moves here as a refresher while you’re thinking about signings and the future of your favorite teams. Oklahoma will join the SEC, which will host a true championship tournament. Washington and UCLA will join the Big Ten, which has not yet announced what its championship format will look like. Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah will join the Big 12. Meanwhile, California and Stanford are headed to the ACC. Oregon State does not yet know its future, though the football team has secured a scheduling alliance with the Mountain West, so that move seems likely for gymnastics, too.
Phew. That means the 2025 Power Five looks like:
ACC: California, Clemson, N.C. State, North Carolina, Pittsburgh, Stanford
Big Ten: Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio State, Penn State, Rutgers, UCLA, Washington
Big 12: Arizona, Arizona State, BYU, Denver, Iowa State, Utah, West Virginia
SEC: Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Missouri, Oklahoma
Dizzy yet?
READ THIS NEXT: College Gymnastics Basics: Seven Things to Know About the Top Teams
Article by Emily Minehart
Like what you see? Consider donating throughout the year!
2 comments