On June 21, Tennessee State University (TSU) unveiled a new men's hockey jersey during its 67th National Alumni Association Convention. The team will sport these jerseys throughout the 2025-26 season. Coach Duanté Abercrombie showcased the design on social media. It features royal blue with red and white stripes, a Tiger face logo on the front, and "tsu" on each arm.
TSU made history in 2023 by announcing the start of an HBCU ice hockey program in partnership with the NHL and NHLPA. The initiative was announced at Bridgestone Arena, marking TSU as the first HBCU to introduce collegiate-level ice hockey. In 2024, Abercrombie was appointed as the head coach of this pioneering team.
Coach Abercrombie expressed his enthusiasm for building the program, aspiring to establish TSU as a formidable presence in ice hockey and to leave a lasting impact through its student-athletes. His previous coaching roles include positions at Stevenson University and the Washington Little Capitals, along with associate and guest coaching stints with the San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Arizona Coyotes.
Following the jersey launch, Abercrombie is actively recruiting players, including a visit to Toronto for the annual Black Hockey Summit.
"I am incredibly excited to embark on building this program," Abercrombie said in a press release. "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."
Link: Yahoo