Tennessee State University announced it will bring hockey to its institution, making it the first Historically Black College and University to knock the puck between the goal posts. 

TSU's men's club program will begin its inaugural season in 2024. (A club-level program is an intercollegiate team that travels, often founded and funded by students.) The long-term goal of the team is to have the club transition to NCAA Division I status, following paths taken by Arizona State and Penn State Universities, for both men and women.

TSU's Athletic Director, Dr. Mikki Allen, worked with College Hockey Inc. to conduct an NHL funded feasibility study. Assistant Athletic Director, Nick Guerriero, explained that the findings revealed "a hockey program could be sustained and was actually wanted at TSU." 

In a statement by President Glenda Glover, TSU has also shared that part of its vision for this undertaking is to “broaden new interests in areas where they have traditionally had limited or no access."

Nashville is a great place to initiate this venture because it is home to both an NHL team and an HBCU. For students who play hockey, TSU now serves as a great option for pursuing higher education. Further, this would be a draw for international students, and would ultimately expand the TSU community. 

In addition to enhancing athletics on campus and diversity within the sport at large, the partnership with the Nashville Predators and the NHL would give TSU students majoring in disciplines like accounting and business an opportunity to engage with these entities and potentially work in this field.

Guierrio said there are students who want an HBCU education and want to play hockey. Rochelle Popyon, co-founder of the Black Hockey Mommies, and Malik Garvin, executive director of Ice Hockey in Harlem, are both excited about the announcement and hope other HBCUs will establish hockey programs so that their students can go to these schools.

TSU's move into the hockey arena will open avenues for other HBCUs and more HBCU students, explained Guerriero.

Students who are interested in the TSU hockey program can contact hockey@tnstate.edu or for more information or visit their website here.

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