US EditionTennessee State Explains Why It Is Postponing Men's Hockey to 2026-27 Season
TENNESSEE, JUL 10 – The program delay is to ensure financial stability and competitiveness with support from the NHL and Nashville Predators, including a $250,000 grant to aid development.
- Tennessee State University announced on July 10, 2025, that it will defer the inaugural season of its men's hockey program to the 2026-27 season.
- The decision followed financial challenges, including unmet fundraising goals and a $5 million self-funding budget requirement for the first two seasons amid broader university budget deficits.
- The postponement was decided jointly with key hockey organizations and local partners to allow additional time for talent acquisition, infrastructure development, team staffing, and financial support efforts.
- Tennessee State was awarded funding of $250,000 through the NHL/NHLPA Industry Growth Fund and continues to benefit from strong backing by the Nashville Predators, while Interim President Dwayne Tucker highlighted the importance of additional preparation time to secure the program’s long-term viability.
- The delay is intended to establish a strong and lasting hockey program, marking a significant milestone as Tennessee State University prepares to become the first Division I men’s ice hockey program at a historically Black institution.
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Black America Web
On Ice: The First HBCU Hockey Team Delayed Over Money Problems
Source: TSU / TSU It was supposed to be a monumental event. The first-ever ice hockey team at a Historically Black College and University was expected to begin play in the 2025-26 season, but difficulties with practice facilities, a lack of fundraising, and overall financial issues are causing another setback. According to The Tennessean, the Tennessee State men’s hockey team will not be playing this year and is hoping that they can play their i…
Associated Press News
Tennessee State pushes back inaugural season of its men's hockey program to 2026-27
Tennessee State has delayed the inaugural season of its men’s hockey program by a year as the school addresses financial issues associated with launching the program.
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TSU Hockey Delayed: Financial crisis stalls program start - Nashville Banner
Everyone involved believes that it will be worth the wait for Tennessee State University to become the first historically Black college and university (HBCU) to have a hockey program. But wait, they must. The school announced Thursday that the program will not begin play this season as planned. Instead, the launch has been delayed until the 2026-27 season due to issues related to the financial crisis that stemmed from the state underfunding the…
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