“Shame on You” – Iowa State Slammed by Fans After Announcing Women’s Wrestling Post-Gymnastics Shutdown

Iowa State University has announced its decision to replace its women’s gymnastics program with a new women’s wrestling program, a move that has now garnered significant backlash from the sports community. The university has defended the move by calling it an additional participatory opportunity for more female athletes.

Iowa State had discontinued its gymnastics program previously, citing internal conflicts with coaches, athletes, and their parents. The athletic director, Jamie Pollard, explicitly mentioned how their program had failed to provide a positive experience for the student-athletes, hinting at long-standing issues that have now led to an untimely shutdown.

Despite introducing women’s wrestling, fans have lambasted the move, calling it “embarrassing,” while highlighting how it totally betrays the gymnasts who had committed themselves with all their might to this program.

One user wrote:

“After what you did to the gymnasts, I hope no Female athletes trust you with their athletic and academic careers. Pull the program mid season and blame the sport of gymnastics?! Refuse to provide safe facilities?! Lose a coach/alum who goes to build a dynasty at OU? Embarrassing.”

Another commented:

“Iowa State will repurpose Beyer Hall into a women’s wrestling facility. The former home of the discontinued women’s gymnastics program will be renovated into a space Jamie Pollard hinted could make even the men jealous.”

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