Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Sports

Tennessee State University Set to Debut the First Division I Hockey Team at An HBCU

Tennessee State University (TSU) continues to break ground on a historic journey to become the first historically Black college or university (HBCU) to field a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I ice hockey team.

By Mekhi Abbott
Afro
Reprinted – by Texas Metro News
https://afro.com/

THE AFRO — “I am incredibly excited to embark on building this program, supported by God, my family, TSU students, alumni, and all those eagerly awaiting this moment,” said Duanté Abercrombie, the head coach of the Tennessee State Tigers ice hockey team, in a press release courtesy of TSU Athletics. “I firmly believe that one day, TSU will be recognized not only as a powerhouse on the ice but also as a program whose student-athletes leave a profound legacy on the world, enriched by the lessons learned at TSU.”

National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman (left), Tennessee State University (TSU) Athletic Director Mikki Allen (center) and TSU president Glenda Glover share a moment after holding a press conference announcing TSU’s intent to become the first historically Black college or university with a Division I ice hockey team. Credit: AP Photo/George Walker IV
National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman (left), Tennessee State University (TSU) Athletic Director Mikki Allen (center) and TSU president Glenda Glover share a moment after holding a press conference announcing TSU’s intent to become the first historically Black college or university with a Division I ice hockey team. Credit: AP Photo/George Walker IV

Tennessee State University (TSU) continues to break ground on a historic journey to become the first historically Black college or university (HBCU) to field a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I ice hockey team. Alongside some assistance from the National Hockey League (NHL), the NHL Players’ Association and the Nashville Predators, the TSU Tigers have already named their official head coach, unveiled their jersey and received their first official commitment from a student-athlete.

TSU held an official press conference to announce the plan in June 2023. Their first official season as a sanctioned Division I program is planned to commence in 2025-26. On April 18, TSU named Duanté Abercrombie as the head coach of the Tennessee State Tigers ice hockey team.

Sign up for our Daily eBlast to get coverage on Black communities from the media company who has been doing it right for over 132 years.

“I am incredibly excited to embark on building this program, supported by God, my family, TSU students, alumni, and all those eagerly awaiting this moment,” said Abercrombie in a press release courtesy of TSU Athletics. “I firmly believe that one day, TSU will be recognized not only as a powerhouse on the ice but also as a program whose student-athletes leave a profound legacy on the world, enriched by the lessons learned at TSU.”

Abercrombie was raised in Washington, D.C., and was mentored by hockey legend Neal Henderson, the first Black man to be inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame. Abercrombie attended Gonzaga College High School and graduated from Hampton University, where he was a track and field athlete prior to retiring due to an injury. After college, Abercrombie briefly played professional hockey in both the New Zealand Ice Hockey League as well as the Federal Hockey League.

After his career as a professional hockey player, Abercrombie moved onto coaching, including stints with his alma mater Gonzaga and Georgetown Preparatory School. In 2022-23, Abercrombie was a member of the coaching staff for NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs organization.

“We are no longer doing club play in 2024-25. We are going right into D1 play for 2025-26,” Nick Guerriero told the AFRO. Guerriero is the assistant athletic director of communications and creative content at Tennessee State.

On Jan. 19, TSU got their first official commitment from an ice hockey recruit, Xavier Abel. Abel played at Drury University and scored 12 goals in 34 games, including three game-winning goals. Abel was recruited by Guerriero.

In July, the Tigers got their second commitment from forward Trey Fechko. In October, Trey’s brother Marcus Fechko also committed to Tennessee State. Since, the Tigers have also signed forward Greye Rampton, goaltender Johnny Hicks, Grady Hoffman and four-star forward Bowden Singleton. Singleton flipped his commitment from North Dakota to Tennessee State. Guerriero said that TSU has a “few” other recruits that they are waiting to announce during their November signing period.

“I think it’s important to invest in these unorthodox sports for Black athletes because it allows Black children to have more opportunities to play sports in general,” said Zion Williams, a 2024 Gettysburg College graduate and former collegiate athlete. “The more opportunities that children have, the better. They won’t feel like they are boxed into one thing or sport.”

Written By

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

IMM MASK Promos

You May Also Like

News

Defensive-minded Koclanes has more than a decade of coaching experience in the WNBA and Division I women’s basketball.

News

By A’Nease Linnea The South Oak Cliff Golden Bears’ bid for a third UIL Class 5A Division II Football State Championship fell short Friday night,...

News

By Dorothy J. Gentry Photo: Dorothy J. Gentry Keelon Russell, the recently named 2024-25 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year, enjoyed a night...

News

The Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) announced its 16th Class today – the Class of 2025. Six inductees were selected from a list of...

Advertisement
Hacklinkbetsat
betsat
betsat
holiganbet
holiganbet
holiganbet
Jojobet giriş
Jojobet giriş
Jojobet giriş
casibom giriş
casibom giriş
casibom giriş
xbet
xbet
xbet
grandpashabet
grandpashabet
grandpashabet
İzmir psikoloji
creative news
Digital marketing
radio kalasin
radinongkhai
gebze escort
casibom
casibom
grandpashabet
grandpashabet
imajbet
imajbet giriş
casibom güncel giriş
casibom güncel giriş
İstanbul Escort
istanbul masöz
Ataşehir Escort
İstanbul Escort
casino siteleri
casibom
Meritking
casibom
Lisanslı Casino Siteleri
casibom güncel giriş
deneme bonusu veren sitelermarsbahis giriştaraftarium24deneme bonusu veren siteler
marsbahis girişmarsbahis girişmarsbahis girişmarsbahis girişantika eşya satmakantika eşya satmak