Tennessee State explains why it is postponing men's hockey to 2026-27 season
- The delay allows more time to secure resources and ensure long-term financial stability for the program.
- The NHL, NHLPA, and Nashville Predators continue to support TSU's effort to become the first HBCU with an NCAA Division I men's hockey team.
Tennessee State confirmed its inaugural men's hockey season will not be played as planned in 2025-26.
The historically Black university made it official in a release on July 10. The Tennessean first reported the news on June 8.
According to the release, the decision to "shift" the first season to 2026-27 was made in collaboration with the National Hockey League, the Nashville Predators, and College Hockey Inc., while receiving more financial support from the National Hockey League Players' Association.
"The announcement coincides with a $250,000 grant from the NHL/National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA) Industry Growth Fund and continued support from the Nashville Predators," according to the release. "TSU remains poised to become the first historically Black college or university (HBCU) to sponsor NCAA Division I men's ice hockey."
TSU interim president Dwayne Tucker said in the release the program needed another year to get its full resources in order.
"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," Tucker said.
The Predators have vowed their support since the launch of the program was announced and remain committed to help get the team up and going.
"We continue to look forward to helping to make the Division I hockey dream a reality at Tennessee State," Predators chief marketing officer Bill Wickett said. "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."
The NHL and the NHLPA Industry Growth Fund also have been involved since the early stages of the historic launch. The group funded the initial feasibility study for the program and also provided seed funding.
"Deferring the inaugural season of TSU Tigers hockey to 2026-27 is the right step to build a foundation worthy of the university," said Kevin Westgarth, NHL VP of hockey development and strategic collaboration. "TSU has faced challenges before and always met them and come back stronger, and we expect hockey to be the latest chapter of that story.
"We have faith in President Tucker's vision and look forward to adding new names to the TSU Athletics history alongside legends like Olympic Gold medalist Wilma Rudolph and NBA Champion Dick Barnett. Hopefully, we'll see an ex-Tiger raise the Stanley Cup one day, not too far in the future."
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.