Tennessee State unveils first-ever hockey jersey for HBCU team

Head Coach Duante’ Abercrombie @blkhky unveiled our 2025-26 home jerseys during the Roar City panel at the 67th TSUNAA Convention on campus. pic.twitter.com/mxk2MzDJCg

— Tennessee State Hockey (@TSUTigersHockey) June 21, 2024

Tennessee State University’s men’s hockey team, which already has a coach and a player, now has a jersey to complete its ensemble.

Coach Duante Abercrombie introduced the new home blue jersey for the first hockey team at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), which will make its debut in the 2025-26 season. The jersey was unveiled on Friday during the 67th annual Tennessee State University National Alumni Association Convention held on the Nashville campus.

The team’s social media showcased the jersey, featuring royal blue with red and white stripes across the sleeves and bottom, a large Tigers logo on the front, and a lowercase “tsu” on each arm.

Abercrombie, a 37-year-old native of Washington, D.C., was appointed as TSU’s coach in April. He is an alumnus of the Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Club, affiliated with the Hockey is for Everyone initiative. His coaching experience includes roles at Stevenson University, an NCAA Division III school near Baltimore, and the Washington Little Capitals. Additionally, he has served as a coaching development associate or guest coach for the San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Arizona Coyotes.

Xavier Abel, a forward, became the first player to join the TSU hockey program in January, transferring from Drury University in Springfield, Missouri, where he played for the American Collegiate Hockey Association Division II team.

With the new jersey revealed, Abercrombie is now focused on recruiting more players. His efforts include a visit to Toronto on July 2 for the annual Black Hockey Summit hosted by Hockey Equality, a nonprofit organization chaired by retired NHL forward Anthony Stewart.