The Tennessee State hockey program could be finished before it ever begins.
TSU Interim President Dwayne Tucker told The Athletic that the university is evaluating whether it can move forward with the men’s hockey program, which was announced in June 2023 in partnership with the NHL’s Nashville Predators. A final decision could come within the next month if sufficient financial backing is not secured.
“I can tell you we’re not going to move forward with a hockey program if the sustainable funding is not there,” Tucker said. “Unfortunately, there’s no funds through 2030 that we can provide to a start-up program.”
The Tigers’ hockey program was scheduled to debut in the 2024-25 season as a club team but was pushed back to the 2026-27 season due to a lack of funding.
Tucker said the university needs funding commitments that would cover operational expenses and scholarships for at least five years to ensure the program’s long-term viability.
He also said the university’s priorities include addressing aging residence halls and renovating Hale Stadium. Tennessee State will soon launch a two-year, $100 million fundraising campaign to pay for those improvements.
“We need that money to help fix some of the modernization that needs to take place on the campus, not another sport that couldn’t be standing on its own,” Tucker said.
Holding out hope for a solution
Head coach Duante’ Abercrombie, who was hired to lead the program, remains optimistic that a solution can be found.
“I have faith in the Nashville Predators, I have faith in the NHL,” Abercrombie said. “And, more importantly, I have faith in my institution that they will find a path forward that is positive for the hockey program.”
Abercrombie noted that annual operating costs for NCAA Division I hockey programs can range from $900,000 to $3 million, excluding scholarships.
The Predators also expressed hope that the project can move forward.
“We’ve had very informative and productive conversations with the president and others at the university,” Predators Chief Marketing Officer Bill Wickett said. “We understand all of the priorities and opportunities in front of Tennessee State, but we remain hopeful that Division I hockey will still be played in Nashville in the future.”
Tucker said he remains committed to exploring fundraising opportunities and working with potential donors but emphasized that the program must be financially self-sustaining.
“I’d love to have the hockey program and make history,” Tucker said. “But it has to be a stand-alone program in terms of the funding to make it work, because of the bigger financial challenges that the university has.”
