Iowa State athletic department cited internal conflicts between student-athletes, coaches and parents as the primary reason behind the cancellation of the gymnastics season, according to a letter written by Endowed Iowa State Athletic Director Jamie Pollard on Feb. 17, 2026.
The letter, on official Iowa State athletics letterhead, was sent to the gymnasts and their families.
“The decision to suspend the season resulted from a series of complex internal conflicts between individual teammates, coaching staff members and parents,” Pollard stated. “These conflicts created unreconcilable differences that not only prevented our team from competing, but they also prevented team members from carrying on their daily activities, including practice. In the end, suspending the remainder of the season was the only viable alternative.”
The letter explained how the athletic department’s focus aligned with helping the student-athletes, whether through medical and mental health support, academics, eligibility, the transfer portal and other resources.
“Several of those questions require NCAA rule waivers which further complicates providing timely answers.” Pollard stated.
The Iowa State Daily reached out to the NCAA regarding a potential investigation into the cancellation of the season.
“Due to confidentiality rules put in place by NCAA member schools, the NCAA does not comment on current, pending or potential investigations. The NCAA will not comment on specific eligibility cases or discuss hypotheticals,” an NCAA communications representative stated.
Pollard also addressed the longevity of the gymnastics program at Iowa State University.
“We also realize many of you have a concern about what this means for the long-term viability of gymnastics at Iowa State University,” Pollard stated. “We share that same concern. Unfortunately, conflicts within our gymnastics team are not new. Comparable challenges have occurred multiple times in our program’s history.”
A parent of a student-athlete commented on the letter.
“He hired the head coach who had no experience,” the parent said. “Did that set it up to fail? Also, he let her hire assistant coaches without experience. Has that been done with any other program?”
The parent also said that, to her knowledge, the student-athletes do not have access to the Iowa State gymnastics facility.
The parent said the gymnasts have access to gyms in the area and that student-athletes have been using those facilities to train.
“In the meantime, we will continue to work closely with the young women on our team to help them navigate this challenging time in their lives,” Pollard stated.
