Although Women’s History Month has concluded, Clemson gymnast Brie Clark is just getting started on her own historic journey. After becoming the first college gymnast to execute the Biles (a challenging move named after Simone Biles) to cap off Black History Month, Clark is focused on her rising career and the sport she excels in.
“I think people are starting to figure out what collegiate gymnastics really is,” Clark stated. “Once they experience it, they commit: ‘Oh, we have season tickets; we’ll be back next year,’” which she believes illustrates the general growth of the sport. Once people tune in, they often become lifelong fans.
Thanks to talented athletes like Brie Clark, gymnastics is gaining popularity, but there remain concerns about its marketing and visibility, especially at the collegiate level. For example, during the college gymnastics postseason—akin to March Madness for the sport—it’s easy to overlook this significant time unless you’re a devoted gymnastics enthusiast or a gymnast. According to Clark, one major challenge the sport faces is the lack of accessible information about collegiate gymnastics.
This issue has led to growing apprehension regarding viewership, especially with the momentum seen in women’s sports in general. In February, LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne expressed her worries about “empty seats” at meets after a dip in viewership for women’s gymnastics in 2024, noting that the championship meet attracted only 857,000 viewers compared to over a million the previous year. Clark believes these numbers reflect a broader issue of insufficient advertising that highlights the essentials of the sport— the who, what, when, where, and why of college gymnastics.
“After the Olympic cycle, people get excited about gymnastics and ask where they can watch it. Unfortunately, many don’t know how, when, or where to tune in,” Clark observed. “It’s not a lack of interest; it’s more like ‘I want to watch, but I don’t know where to find it. I guess I’ll wait for the next Olympics.’”
The FULL routine of the historic moment that Brie Clark competed the Biles I on floor 💜🐅#TeamTwo pic.twitter.com/iRappnkhJA
— Clemson Gymnastics (@ClemsonGym) March 1, 2025
The sport is indeed engaging, dynamic, and popular; for example, the women’s gymnastics final at the Paris Olympics drew 34.7 million viewers, making it the most-watched weekday event. Furthermore, in 2023, women’s college gymnastics broke viewership records by attracting 1.02 million viewers for the women’s championship. In the United States, approximately4.57 million gymnasts participate in the sport, with women and girls making up over 70%. This surge in popularity has led to an increase in collegiate gymnastics programs, including Clemson.
As a member of South Carolina’s only D1 collegiate gymnastics program, Brie Clark understands the importance of growing a brand. She also acknowledges HBCUs like Fisk University for adding women’s gymnastics programs, contributing to the sport’s expansion. To Clark, this shift signifies that gymnastics is not just a four-year event but a sport with potential for long-term growth and investment.
“Before Clemson, South Carolina had no gymnastics programs,” she shared. “Growing the sport provides fans and viewers more opportunity to engage. Littlejohn Coliseum, our gym, regularly sells out meets as fans drive from all around to watch since we’re the only team in the vicinity.” Nothing matches the live experience of sports, which shows how crucial it is to ensure access to gymnastics meets for the sport’s growth.
For those without local programs, the alternative is to watch on TV, though, as Clark points out, that also presents access issues. “Watching meets can be challenging as they’re sometimes streamed on different websites, many of which require subscriptions,” she noted, adding that some fans opt for highlights instead of paying $10 or even $18 for live access.
Moreover, aside from sometimes costly streaming services, finding meet times or logistical details—like understanding rotations—can be complex for newcomers. This lack of awareness creates a barrier to access, but it’s something that sports media can actively tackle in various ways.
One approach is enhancing education about the sport. For Brie Clark, the “lack of understanding” can make it “confusing” for new viewers. The presence of former elite gymnasts-turned-commentators like Trinity Thomas and Aly Raisman is helping fans gain insights into collegiate gymnastics.
Brie with a 9.9 on floor!!! 🔥🔥#TeamTwo | 📺ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/OJ57Fq6Kt2
— Clemson Gymnastics (@ClemsonGym) April 5, 2025
Campuses can also help increase enthusiasm for the sport. At Clemson, for example, the team participates in preseason “Gymnastics 101” and “Gymnastics 102,” aimed at fan engagement and education with access to a year-round “Gymnastics 101” glossary provided by Clemson Gymnastics. “Before the meet season, we host almost exhibition-style events, with explanations of scoring, skills, judging, and how competitions work, providing clarity for newcomers,” Clark elaborated.
These events are not just educational; they’re beneficial for both the team and fans. Clark adds that the collaborative spirit fostered during Gymnastics 101 and 102 also aids in their seasonal preparation. “It’s a great way to create excitement for the upcoming season and gears us up into a competitive mindset.”
Ultimately, increasing the visibility of college gymnastics should be a straightforward approach: broadcast women’s sports on television, and audiences will respond. The immense popularity of Olympic gymnastics demonstrates the universal appeal of the sport. It’s high time sports media channels devote equal attention to college gymnastics, ensuring competitions are held every year and not just during Olympic cycles.
