The first ice hockey program at a Historically Black College and University will be put on ice for another year. 

The Tennessean reported on Tuesday that Tennessee State University's men's ice hockey program, which was expected to play its inaugural season this fall, will not play. It aims to compete in its first NCAA Division I season during the 2026-27 athletic year. 

According to The Tennessean, a lack of facilities and fundraising have been contributing factors to another delayed season. 

The Nashville Predators have partnered with Tennessee State to help establish the program, offering their facilities and financial assistance, paired with the NHL. 

On Tuesday,  the Predators released a joint statement with TSU on the delayed start to the Tigers' season. 

“We continue to look forward to helping to make the Division I hockey dream a reality at Tennessee State,” said Bill Wickett, Chief Marketing Officer of the Nashville Predators. “We applaud University leadership, led by interim President Tucker, 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.”

While the season has been postponed for another year, TSU also announced that it had received a $250,000 grant from the NHL/NHL Players Association (NHLPA) Industry Growth Fund and the Nashville Predators.

The team's conception was announced at the 2023 NHL Draft in Nashville in an effort to promote diversity and inclusion within the sport.

TSU was initially expected to take the ice for the 2024-25 season as a club team and achieve NCAA Division I status by the 2026-27 season. However, the university changed its plans, intending to jump straight to Division I for the 2025-26 season.  

Alongside the Predators, TSU has also been backed and supported by the NHL, NHL Players Association, and College Hockey Inc.

The NHL has also sponsored Arizona State and Augustana University (South Dakota) in successful efforts to create NCAA Division I ice hockey programs. 

"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," said TSU Interim President Dwayne Tucker in the press release. 

"The extra preparation period will focus on recruiting, facility planning, staff development, and fundraising efforts. It also aligns with a broader vision to grow the sport of hockey in diverse communities."

TSU delays the start of its inaugural season despite having a head coach and an entire roster of players. 

Duanté Abercrombie was hired as the team's head coach in April 2024 and will be the first Black male head coach of an NCAA Division I ice hockey team. Abercrombie has been involved with multiple NHL teams, including the Washington Capitals, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins and Arizona Coyotes. 

He also served as a coach at Stevenson University, a NCAA Division III program in Maryland. 

Abercrombie posted on X/Twitter on Thursday following the school's press release: "Brick by brick, we — along with our partners @NHL, @NHLPA, @PredsNHL, and @collegehockey — are laying the foundation for history to be made on the ice.

TSU still has 13 players rostered for the 2025-26 season, two commitments for the 2026-27 season and one commitment for the 2027-28 season. 

It has no goalies roster as its two prior goalie commitments, Johnny Hicks and Andrew Ballantyne, decommitted. 

Hicks committed to Denver (NCAA) and Ballantyne to Ontario Tech (USports). 

Since the news was broken on Tuesday, TSU has not made a formal announcement on the status of the team. 

Tennessee State University's current roster

Forwards

Xavier Abel - 5'10 - 170 pounds - 24 years old - Drury University (ACHA-DII)

Cole Bishop - 6'2 - 214 pounds - 20 years old - Alberni Valley Bulldogs (BCHL)

Ridge Dawson - 5'8 - 154 pounds - 21 years old - Trail Smoke Eaters (BCHL) 

Marcus Fechko - 5'9 - 150 pounds - 19 years old - Odessa Jackalopes (NAHL) 

Trey Fechko - 6'1 - 192 pounds - 21 years old - Janesville Jets (NAHL) 

Stephen Kirkpatrick - 5'9 - 161 pounds - 21 years old - Spruce Goose Saints (BCHL) 

Greye Rampton - 6'2 - 181 pounds - 20 years old - Langley Rivermen (BCHL) 

Defensemen 

Trent Ballentyne - 6'3 - 183 pounds - 21 years old - Prince George Spruce Kings (BCHL) 

Kaycee Coyle - 6'0 - 187 pounds - 21 years old - Fairbanks Ice Dogs (NAHL)

Odie Ford - 6'3 - 209 pounds - 21 years old - New Jersey Jr. Titans (NAHL) 

Emerson Miller - 6'1 - 201 pounds - 21 years old - Northeast Generals (NAHL)

Sid McNeill - 5'7 - 146 pounds - 21 years old - Langley Rivermen (BCHL); Committed to Mayville (ACHA) for 2025-26 season 

Ocean Fancy - 6'1 - 185 pounds - 21 years old - Maine Nordiques (NAHL) 

Future commitments 

Grady Hoffman - 6'0 - 185 pounds - 20 years old - 2026-27 commitment; Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL)

Jadon Iygoun - 6'1 - 181 pounds - 19 years old - 2026-27 commitment; Spruce Grove Saints (BCHL)

Aidan Gray - 5'10 - 165 pounds - 16 years old - 2027-28 commitment; Little Cesars 16U AAA