Tennessee State University exploring hockey programs

Tennessee State University is exploring establishing NCAA Division I men's and women's hockey teams.

If formed, TSU would become the first member of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) with a hockey program.
"The idea of establishing a collegiate hockey program at TSU is a tremendous opportunity as the nation's first HBCU to take on this endeavor," TSU president Glenda Glover said. "This allows us to expand the sport, increase diversity and introduce a new fan base."
Glover said that a feasibility study funded through the NHL and the NHL Players' Association's Industry Growth Fund will examine the viability of hockey at TSU and what the school would require to put teams on ice. The Nashville Predators and College Hockey Inc., a nonprofit entity dedicated to promoting NCAA Division I men's hockey, also are supporting the effort.

The results of the study are expected in the fall.
"Taking this initial step with Tennessee State University, led by their ambitious and visionary leadership, awakens thought on potential playing opportunities, new facilities and new avenues to watch live hockey, all driven by an HBCU and NHL club in the heart of Nashville," said Kevin Westgarth, NHL vice president of development and strategic collaboration. "This could be a game-changer."
Predators president and CEO Sean Henry agreed. The Predators already have a relationship with TSU and helped the school raise more than $1.7 million in February for merit-based and needs-based scholarships for students.
"The passion and vision of President Glover, [TSU athletic director Mikki] Allen and all of Tennessee State University's leadership in pushing to make hockey a more diverse and inclusive sport through this feasibility study is both inspiring and humbling," Henry said. "Through their passion and track record, [TSU] will be able to create another success story for other schools and communities to chase and ideally emulate. Pair that with our incredible community, our fan base and wealth of community and corporate partners, and we will collectively take Smashville and our sport to new heights because of their pursuit of excellence on all fronts."
TSU has nearly 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students at its 520-acre Nashville campus. Founded in 1912, it is among more than 100 public and private institutions designated as HBCUs.

These schools were established before 1964 with the main mission of educating Black Americans who generally were denied admission to predominantly white schools in the pre-civil rights era.
HBCUs represent three percent of two-year and four-year institutions in the United States but account for 17 percent of all bachelor's degrees received by Black American students, according to the United Negro College Fund, a nonprofit group that provides scholarships and other programs at 37 private HBCUs.
TSU's most prominent graduates include Oprah Winfrey and Olympic track star Wilma Rudolph. Other notable HBCU alums include Vice President Kamala Harris (Howard University), the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. (Morehouse College), television host and former NFL player Michael Strahan (Texas Southern University) and NHL senior executive vice president of social impact, growth initiatives & legislative affairs Kim Davis (Spelman College).