Following The Tennessean's report that Tennessee State University has delayed the inaugural season of its NCAA Division I men's ice hockey program to 2026-27, the Nashville Predators, TSU, the NHL, and College Hockey Inc. have issued a joint statement regarding the news.
TSU was expected to become the first Historically Black College and University to field a Division I men's ice hockey team this season.
Still, the start of the season was bumped back due to the need for time to figure out "resources needed to launch at full strength and with long-term financial success."
The endeavor was announced at the 2023 NHL Draft in Nashville. The original plan was for TSU to play as a club team for the 2024-25 season and transition to Division I for the 2025-26 season.
The Predators, NHL and College Hockey Inc. have backed TSU since day 1.
The university later said it wanted to make the immediate jump to Division I for the 2025-26 year.
Nashville Predators backed college hockey program, Tennessee State, delays start of inaugural season
The first ice hockey program at a Historically Black College and University will be put on ice for another year.