Tennessee State becomes first HBCU to launch men's hockey team

In the press release, school president Glenda Glover expressed the importance of giving students an opportunity to pursue interest in a sport that hadn't always appeared to be inclusive:

"Bringing ice hockey to Tennessee State University is a part of our continued commitment to provide our students with new opportunities and to broaden new interests in areas where they have traditionally had limited or no access," said TSU President Glenda Glover.

"We appreciate our ongoing partnership with the Nashville Predators which has played a pivotal role in our decision to pursue this historic undertaking, of starting an ice hockey program at TSU, and the first for an HBCU. TSU has a tremendous legacy in athletics. Adding ice hockey to our programs will start a new chapter and build upon that legacy."

The Tigers will start at the club level, with the aim of applying for membership at the Division I level as well as adding a women's team in the future. The Nashville Predators, Tennessee's NHL franchise, have developed a relationship with multiple colleges in the state over the last few seasons, but their support of the Tigers is notable as part of the league's continued diversity efforts.

Collegiate hockey isn't entirely new in the South, but the demographics at TSU add a different historical bent. The best-known program at a Southern school was at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, which began at the club level before ascending to Division II and eventually Division I. The program has been disbanded since 2021 with hopes of a revival in the near future.

In terms of the racial makeup of the NHL, the number of players of African descent has gone up and down in recent seasons, but as of 2022, 54 players who were on active rosters prior to the 2022-23 season identified as non-white, roughly 7% of the league.