BALTIMORE, Md. - Morgan State head acrobatics and tumbling coach Regina Smith has stepped down from her position with the program, Vice President and Director of Athletics Dena Freeman-Patton announced on Friday.
 
"We appreciate Coach Smith for being our first head acrobatics and tumbling coach here at Morgan State," Freeman-Patton said. " She fostered a culture where academic success is prioritized and commitment to competitive success is at the forefront. We wish Coach Smith the very best in her future endeavors, as we launch a nationwide search for the next head coach of our acrobatics and tumbling program."
 
Smith became the inaugural head coach of the 16th NCAA varsity sport at her time of hire in 2022. In 2025, she completed her third year and second season leading the Morgan State acrobatics and tumbling team. 
 
"After successfully implementing the official inaugural acrobatics and tumbling team here at Morgan State University, I leave with a deep sense of gratitude for the immense experiences I have gained," said Smith. "I am truly grateful for the supporting staff and coaches, student-athletes, and their families for their love and support that has made this historic journey possible. It's been an honor to serve the Bear community and see the growth of the student-athletes."
 
In March of 2024, the team became the first HBCU Division I all-minority acrobatics and tumbling team and the first NCAA NCATA University to tour the White House in honor of Women's History Month. 
 
The season rounded out with 13 Lady Bears named to the NCATA Academic Honor Roll achieving a 3.30 GPA or higher, and the team completing over 400 community service hours throughout the year. This past season, the program recorded a new program high with 21 student-athletes achieving recognition. 
 
The team garnered national attention this past February when they completed the routine which is referred to as the two feet split with straddle, as the video has over 12 million views.
 
To date, Morgan is the first and only Historically Black College or University (HBCU) Division I program to offer the sport and only the third school in Maryland (Frostburg State University and Stevenson University) to add acrobatics and tumbling. Morgan joined the National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association (NCATA), a discipline of USA Gymnastics, as its 40th member.
 
"The National Treasure has left a lasting impact on my life," said Smith. "I wish Morgan State University and especially the Acrobatics and Tumbling program all the best. As Always, Go Bears!"
 

About Morgan
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering more than 150 academic degree and certificate programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.