• Loading stock data...
Friday, August 29, 2025
Front Office Sports Honors winners are here! View the 2025 winners

Tennessee State University to Become First HBCU With Ice Hockey Team

  • The announcement will be made at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville before tonight’s NHL Draft.
  • TSU will be the first college in Tennessee to have an NCAA ice hockey program.
TSU received $250 million in state funding earlier this year.
Syndication: The Tennessean

Tennessee State University is set to become the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to have a school hockey team, according to ESPN. The Nashville-based HBCU will establish its hockey program in partnership with the Nashville Predators, the NHL, and NHLPA.

TSU will also be the first university in Tennessee to have an NCAA ice hockey program

None of the 107 HBCUs across the U.S. currently have an organized ice hockey team. TSU, a member of the NCAA’s Division-I Ohio Valley Conference, will announce its new ice hockey program later tonight at the Predators’ Bridgestone Arena before the arena hosts tonight’s NHL Draft and league awards show.

Tennessee State launched a feasibility study in 2021 to determine if the school could support men’s and women’s ice hockey teams. In January, TSU received $250 million in state funding for campus infrastructure upgrades. 

Earlier this week, the NHL and NHLPA formed the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition to commit $1 million towards programs supporting diversity in hockey. The group is co-chaired by retired NHL star P.K. Subban and includes 20 current and former pro men and women hockey players. 

Los Angeles-based entrepreneur Neko Sparks was a recent finalist to buy the Ottawa Senators, which, if successful, would have made him the first Black managing owner of an NHL team. The Senators were instead sold this month for nearly $1 billion to Montreal Canadiens part-owner Michael Andlauer.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Connor McDavid: ‘All Options on Table’ As Historic Free Agency Looms

The Oilers superstar remains largely mum on his long-term plans.
Apr 13, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Rickard Rakell (67) and center Sidney Crosby (87) and center Evgeni Malkin (71) talk before a face-off against the Boston Bruins during the third period at PPG Paints Arena.

Fenway Sports Weighs Penguins Options Amid ‘Serious’ Suitor

FSG previously said it was exploring the sale of a minority stake.

Featured Today

‘You’re Going to Get Beat Up’: The Liberty’s All-Male Practice Squad

A select group suits up weekly to take on the defending champs.
August 24, 2025

The Honey Deuce Effect: How Tennis Perfected the Signature Cocktail

Sold every 1.5 seconds, they total more than $12 million in sales.
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up as the Texas Longhorns prepare to play the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoffs at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.
August 23, 2025

Schools Are Hesitant to Allow PE Into Their Athletic Departments

Regardless of budget, schools don’t believe the risk is worth the reward.
Oct 2, 2024; Rosemont, IL, USA; Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti speaks with the media during the 2024 Big Ten Women’s Basketball media day at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.
August 22, 2025

‘Not Ready to Jump In’: Power 4 Commissioners Aren’t Sold on PE

Top leaders in college sports have yet to see a satisfactory proposal.
Ohio State mascot Brutus interacts with Lee Corso on the set of ESPN College GameDay prior to the College Football Playoff first round game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Tennessee Volunteers in Columbus on Dec. 21, 2024.

End of an Era: Lee Corso Making Final ‘College GameDay’ Appearance

After 430 iconic headgear picks, the iconic coach bids farewell.
August 27, 2025

Fox, YouTube TV Avoid Blackout With Short-Term Deal

The upcoming Texas–Ohio State clash will remain available to subscribers.
Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the spring game at Folsom Field.
August 28, 2025

Coach Prime Enters Year 3 at Colorado With New Challenges

The Buffaloes have sold out their season tickets yet again.
Sponsored

Gareth Bale on MLS vs EPL, Retirement & Buying Cardiff City

Gareth Bale shares his post-soccer business playbook.
August 27, 2025

College Football Players Projected to Earn $1.9B This Year, Nearly Double 2024

The spike comes in the first season of revenue-sharing.
Oregon State Beavers quarterback Gevani McCoy (4) scrambles out of the pocket during an NCAA football game against UNLV at Reser Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Corvallis, Ore.
August 27, 2025

Pac-12 Strikes New Football, Basketball Deal With The CW

The latest step in its resurrection after being picked apart in 2023.
Oct 17, 2015; Evanston, IL, USA; A general view of the Northwestern Wildcats logo at midfield before the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Ryan Field.
August 25, 2025

Northwestern AD Singles Out Volleyball As Sport to Invest In

Northwestern athletic director Mark Jackson spoke to Front Office Sports.
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) is tackled by Clemson Tigers defensive tackle Payton Page (55) during the second half of the CFP National playoff first round at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium
August 25, 2025

As College Football Season Kicks Off, NIL Deal Approval Process Still Lags

Many deals are stuck in “purgatory,” one power conference collective operator says.