Tennessee State hockey will have a delayed start. Here’s why

Tennessee State hockey will not take the ice as previously scheduled due to a combination of financial instability, insufficient fundraising, and logistical challenges, according to reports.

The Tennessean reported Tuesday that the university faced a severe financial crisis primarily due to budget mismanagement, longstanding state underfunding, structural deficits, and mismanaged federal relief funds.

The newspaper reported that a source indicated that the hockey program had not met fundraising goals needed to operate.

Tennessee State’s investment in hockey was slated to be around $2.5 million, but they are receiving help from the hometown team, the NHL’s Nashville Predators. According to a story by Meredith Turits of Front Office Sports, the Predators were expected to provide the Tigers’ men’s and women’s programs with a home rink, one of several Ford Ice Centers the Preds own and operate in Nashville.

Head coach Duante Abercrombie previously said there are ongoing fundraising efforts to assist with TSU hockey’s expenses and resources, but he wants to be sure that the program has the look and feel of a program that Tennessee State stakeholders – and other interested parties – would love to invest in.

“A lot of it has been word of mouth,” Abercrombie said. “My goal with the entire program is that we have to have good bones first. We have to make sure that we look and operate a certain way, and that the conversations are being had with individuals that when we are prepared to activate and move financially, those individuals are ready to move.”

TSU director of athletics Mikki Allen has been ambitious about forming a hockey program at the school.

“If you haven’t been to the North Nashville community, it’s a very prideful community that loves what they do,” he said in 2023. “And this city has turned into a hockey town. The people who wear gold and blue turned it there, and we want to get on that train. If I were talking to a student-athlete, I’d say, ‘Why not come to Tennessee State? Why not compete for one of the most attractive cities in the country? Why not be a part of this special initiative we’re bringing to the forefront?’ I want the next P.K. Subban, Ryan Reaves, and Willie O’Ree.”

But there was uncertainty about securing a home ice location and adequate practice facilities.

Although efforts were made to secure resources—such as support from the Nashville Predators for rink access—these measures were not enough to overcome the broader institutional financial emergency and operational hurdles, forcing TSU to postpone the launch of its hockey program until at least the 2026–27 season.