Different sports offer fresh direction for HBCUs

Two Nashville HBCUs are offering an alternative direction for sports, and by extension providing a pathway for others to follow. Tennessee State University and Fisk University are making inroads in sports where HBCU teams haven’t previously competed. By doing so they’re not only showing there’s opportunities in those areas for individual athletes, but demonstrating they can attract top coaching talents and generate national publicity and attention in the process. Tennessee State last week announced the hiring of Duante Abercrombie as the first head coach of their new hockey team, the first head coach of any hockey program at an HBCU.& “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,” Abercrombie said in a statement.. “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.” This continues the steps taken in June 2023, when the school made its announcement that they would be the first HBCU to offer men’s hockey,& “Duanté Abercrombie’s appointment as TSU’s head...