TSU Hockey Program Postponed to 2026-27 Season, Pioneering HBCU Expansion into College Ice Hockey
Nashville, TN – Tennessee State University (TSU) has announced that it will begin competition for its historic men’s hockey program in the 2026-27 season, a one-year delay from the originally planned 2025-26 debut. This groundbreaking initiative, launched in collaboration with the National Hockey League (NHL), the Nashville Predators, and College Hockey Inc., marks TSU as the first historically Black college or university (HBCU) to sponsor an NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey team.
The decision to postpone the inaugural season reflects a shared commitment among all stakeholders to establish a sustainable, competitive program from the outset. Interim TSU President Dwayne Tucker explained, “Working closely with the NHL and the Predators, we agree that an additional year will provide the program with the time and resources it needs to launch at full strength and with long-term financial success in mind.” The program’s leadership is focused on enhancing recruiting efforts, facility planning, staff development, and fundraising during this additional preparation period.
This ambitious step forward in diversifying HBCU athletics comes with significant financial challenges. The program was required to raise $5 million to cover its first two seasons independently of the university’s general budget. Thanks to a $250,000 grant from the NHL and the NHL Players Association’s Industry Growth Fund—and ongoing support from the Nashville Predators—TSU is well-positioned to build a solid foundation for its hockey program.
Duanté Abercrombie, hired in April 2024 as the team’s first head coach, has taken a leading role in the fundraising and development campaign. Abercrombie emphasized the broader impact of the initiative: “This program is about more than just hockey. It’s about opening doors for diverse communities in a sport that hasn’t traditionally seen much representation from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. We’re building something new and lasting.”
NHL and Nashville Predators officials have voiced strong support for TSU’s groundbreaking program. Bill Wickett, Chief Marketing Officer of the Predators, commended university leadership, stating, “We applaud university leadership… for its desire to ensure that when the Tigers step on the ice for the first time, they are doing it for a long time, and we pledge to walk hand-in-hand with that leadership in making it happen.” Kevin Westgarth, NHL vice president of hockey development and strategic collaboration, expressed optimism about the future, highlighting the potential for a TSU alumnus to one day make history in professional hockey.
The program aims to generate community engagement and donor support throughout the 2025-26 academic year, building momentum toward a successful launch. TSU also hopes its pioneering hockey team will inspire other HBCUs to explore expanded athletic offerings beyond traditional sports like football, basketball, and track and field.
As TSU prepares to step onto the ice in the 2026-27 season, this initiative represents a historic and inspirational chapter in HBCU sports culture. It highlights the schools’ ongoing quest to provide more diverse athletic opportunities, foster community pride, and challenge longstanding barriers within collegiate sports.
Upcoming developments to watch include recruitment successes this fall and announcements of facility upgrades to support hockey operations. Fans and alumni eager to support the program can follow updates and contribute through TSU’s official athletics website.
TSU’s historic hockey program not only paves the way for new sports participation at HBCUs but also signals a broader cultural shift—one that embraces innovation while honoring the rich legacy of Black college athletics.