When you enter the realms of gymnastics, Simone Biles is untouched. Records that are etched like writing in stone, having such an impact on the sport that there are moves named after her. From her dominant debut at the 2013 World Championships to becoming the most decorated gymnast in history, Biles’ journey has been nothing short of legendary. Athletes, commentators, and fans alike often describe her as the greatest gymnast of all time—a title not casually given, but rightfully earned. But even for the goat, there was one thing she could not have. A NCAA career, why would that be the case?
Whilst it is common knowledge that Simone Biles did not grace the NCAA with her presence, do you know that she almost did? Yes, the 11-time Olympic medalist at that time had almost committed to the gymnastics program of a college who was excelled in it. The GOAT of gymnastics, in 2014, then-17-year-old signed a national letter of intent to attend the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), as reported by Best Colleges. She decided to defer enrollment until after the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The Rio Olympics played a pivotal role in her reputation as she came home with four golds and 1 bronze. The deal with UCLA did not work out. Why? Biles always had the dream of pursuing elite gymnastics, and being honest, commenting at the NCAA for her would have been an understatement of her talent. She had decided before Rio itself. NBC Sports reported in December 2025, the gymnast said in a press release, “While I am grateful for the opportunity to compete collegiately, I feel that the chance to make my dream come true is right in front of me.”
Though if you think it was easy for her, you might be wrong. In her 2016 memoir, ‘Courage to Soar: A Body in Motion, A Life in Balance, ‘ she said that she was afraid of disappointing the UCLA coach, Valorie Kondos Field, citing her excitement when she heard the gymnast’s chances of being a Bruin. But she mustered up the courage and called, as her book goes, “Finally, I mustered up the courage and called Coach Val’s number. ‘Hello, Miss Val, this is Simone.’ My voice was quavering. ‘I’m calling to say I’m going pro, so I won’t be able to compete for UCLA next year.” Field told her that she knew what she would say the moment she saw her name on the phone.
Field had led UCLA to seven national titles in 1997, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2010, and 2018. Can you imagine the sheer force of gymnastics would Simone and her would have been at UCLA? Well, that is for the things that never came true, books, Biles going to college wasn’t. In February 2018, Biles announced that she was enrolling at the University of the People (UoPeople) — an online-only, tuition-free, accredited university — to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
“I had planned to attend UCLA but had to defer because of my training schedule. I still want to pursue a college degree, and the University of the People offers me the flexibility I need to fit in my studies around my career,” Biles said in a 2018 UoPeople press release. “I enrolled at the University of the People because I believe in higher education and want to help share that opportunity for others around the world.“
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