Taqiy Abdullah-Simmons comes from a long line of Oklahoma gymnastics greats. He reached the pinnacle of college sports and did it in historic fashion by becoming the first African-American gymnast ever to win the men’s all-around NCAA title in 2007.

Taqiy’s gymnastics and life story is very interesting; even as he rose to the top of NCAA Men’s gymnastics, he maintained a commitment to his hometown community. Today, he continues to give to the sports as assistant gymnastics coach for the University of Oklahoma Sooners.

Watch Wendy Hilliard’s interview with Taqiy from 2021.

Read a full profile of Taqiy on the Sooners website.

Watch a video of Taqiy performing on the pommel horse in 2005.