NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee State has taken its biggest step yet toward becoming the first historically Black college and university to introduce ice hockey by hiring Duanté Abercrombie as the Tigers’ head coach.

President Glenda Glover and athletic director Mikki Allen announced the hiring Thursday. They first announced the HBCU’s plans in June 2023 during the NHL draft in Nashville hoping to start play this year at the club level and eventually field Division I men’s and women’s teams.

“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 said in a statement.

He is an inaugural member of the NHL’s Coaches’ Association’s BIPOC Coaches Program that supports coaches of color developing skills, leadership strategies, communication, networking and offering career advancement opportunities.