Texas State University made history on Monday by announcing the launch of the “TXST Gymnastics” program. It will be the first-ever NCAA Division I women's gymnastics program in the state.

The announcement was met with delight, as supporters hailed the program's return. This was once the pillar of the university's athletic endeavors. As reported The Universtity Star editor Ayden Oredson on X, the program will return after almost forty years.

Originally established in the 1970s, it was one of Texas State's first six women’s varsity teams created just after Title IX was signed.

For two decades, the program contributed to women's gymnastics. It was dropped in 1986 along with swimming and softball.

Under coach Darlene Schmidt, the program created history. She transformed the team into a competitive entity by coaching them in the Division II National Championships.

With the Bobcats bringing Division I NCAA women’s gymnastics, they are honouring Schmidt's excellence. The program also looks towards its future and recognises how the athletes won't be forced to leave home for opportunities.

“TXST's women's gymnastics program will represent opportunity, ambition, and a new level of national prominence for our university, our future student-athletes, and our state,” said TXST President Kelly Damphousse, as per Gymnastics Now.

The program is now conducting a search for its head coach, followed by recruiting. Olympic gold medalists Carly Patterson and Jordyn Wieber will join the steering committee.

The return of gymnastics at Texas State is a major milestone for its athletes and the sports community is supporting the move.

Fans React to Texas State's New Gymnastics Program

After a year of rumors, fans are relieved to see the launch of Texas State's Division I gymnastics program. Many noted that athletes can now stay in their home state and compete.

“This is amazing! The best gymnasts come from the state of Texas & they all have to move out of state to compete at the college level," one fan wrote on X. "Texas universities have been squandering this opportunity for decades! TXST is awesome for this.”

Along with competitive advantage, one fan wrote about Schmidt having laid the groundwork for this milestone decades ago.

“One of my former professors at SWT, Darlene Schmidt, was a huge proponent of college gymnastics. I hope she's still with us to enjoy this achievement.”

Showing sportsmanship, Oklahoma Women's Gym also praised the move. CBS Sports writer Shehan Jeyarajah hailed the initiative for allowing Texas gymnasts to grow on home soil.

"This is HUGE news. Texas is home to the best prep gymnastics programs in America, especially in DFW," he wrote on X. "Now, those athletes finally have a Division I home in the state. Great decision from Texas State, incredible upside."

The announcement also brought shock as fans were not expecting this development anytime soon.

“Didn’t expect Texas State to be the first. Huge move for the Bobcats,” one fan wrote.

With many schools forced to cut cost in athletics, fans have lauded Texas State for going in the opposite direction.

“A lot of athletics departments are downsizing in the NIL era, while #TXST is upgrading," one fan wrote. "We keep warning y’all. The Bobcats are coming.”

With the program gradually solidifying, the university has plans to compete in 2028.

What do you think? Can Texas State hit the ground running in two years?

Read more at Gymnastics Digest.

Written by

Sebi Mehta

Edited by

Sijo Paul