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Tennessee State University (TSU) is the first Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to introduce men's ice hockey at the collegiate level. This announcement, made in June 2023, sent ripples of excitement through the college hockey world, signaling not just the addition of a new sport to TSU's roster but the shattering of barriers that have hindered access and diversity in the realm of ice hockey.
Situated in Nashville, Tennessee, TSU boasts a rich athletic tradition, yet ice hockey is uncharted territory. Buoyed by the unwavering support of the Nashville Predators, the hometown NHL team , TSU embarked on this journey and in doing is redefining the landscape of collegiate sports.
Xavier Abel is the first committed player for Tennessee State University’s newly established ice hockey program in January. He will play center. Like TSU, Abel was one of the few Black hockey players in his community growing up. At age eight he began participating in the sport leagues in Oak Park, Illinois at the West Cook YMCA. His primary sport interests were basketball and soccer. He later became a goalie for the field hockey team. His coach suggested he try ice hockey. Captivated with the sport after meeting members of the Chicago Blackhawks during their 2009 playoffs, Abel subsequently began to participate in the sport in various places in Chicago. Reflecting on his interest in the sport and the opportunities the TSU ice hockey program will afford him, Abel believes: “As an African-American player in my sport and the hurdles I had to overcome and what I went through, I feel that having an opportunity like this for other minority players like myself could be amazing... it could essentially change the culture of the sport and create more opportunities for players like myself so that they don’t have to face the same adversity and obstacles I faced through my come up. I wanted to be a part of that.”
Since the annnoucement last October, TSU's program is well on its way. According to Nick Guerriero, ,the assistant athletic director for communications and creative content at TSU, in an article on ESPN, said the school had finished conducting interviews for the director of club hockey role. Rather than hiring one person, it has opted to make the coaching job a two-person job. One will handle the work on the fundraising side, while the other will manage recruitment and building the program. Guerriero said the goal is to have the hires in place by mid-October.
The university anticipates starting a club program that will begin play in the 2024-25 season. In 2025-26, TSU will have a "hybrid season." It will seek to play a mix of club teams and Division I teams with the hope that TSU will be a full-fledged D-I program by the 2026-27 season.
Guerriero also noted that the program is also working out who to play against. He is in discussions with club hockey entities such as the American Collegiate Hockey Association (the ACHA) along with the AAU, which recently took over the College Hockey Federation (CHF). Playing against ACHA schools would allow TSU to follow a path similar to Arizona State before moving up to Division I. Playing against CHF schools would allow TSU the opportunity to play against club teams from schools fans would be familar with such as Auburn, Georgia and Vanderbilt, which is in Nashville. The team would also has to petition the NCAA to become a D-1 school.
As TSU prepares to lace up their skates and embark on their inaugural season, the world watches with bated breath. This is not merely about hockey; it is about breaking barriers, defying expectations, and rewriting the narrative. TSU's ice hockey program is a resounding testament to the transformative power of sport, and its impact will reverberate far beyond the confines of the rink.So, let the puck drop on a new era in college hockey. Let the cheers of a diverse crowd resound through the arena. Let the dreams of young athletes take flight on the ice. Tennessee State University's ice hockey program is not just making history but changing the game forever.
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