UTSA Hockey Targets First TCHC Title

UTSA hockey is entering its first season in the Texas Collegiate Hockey Conference with a specific goal: winning the conference championship. The Roadrunners have spent the past few years building a program that operates independently of the traditional university athletic structure, now facing a new tier of competition that includes Texas A&M, Texas, TCU, and Texas State.

The team has filled the local gap left by the departure of the San Antonio Rampage. Since 2023, the program has provided the Alamo City with a dedicated college hockey team in ACHA Division II. Head coach James Hiebert noted the regional identity of the squad, stating, “We have predominantly South Texas boys on our team, which I think is really cool.”

The roster consists of players between the ages of 18 and 30. Some are traditional undergraduates, while others are postgraduates pursuing careers in fields such as medicine and dentistry. Postgraduate right winger Travis Sorce said the new conference structure provides a clear target for the group. “Being in a conference this year, it incentivizes the guys to work toward something,” Sorce said. “It’s allowed us to compete at a much higher level.”

The program operates on a player-funded model, meaning the athletes manage many of the organizational aspects themselves. They do not have a dedicated locker room and share San Antonio’s two ice sheets with other users. Despite these logistical hurdles, the team maintains a physical and fast style of play on the ice.

Junior defenseman and team president Justin Trevino emphasized the commitment required to sustain a player-run program. “You can’t give up on these guys, you can’t give up on the school, you can’t give up on the hockey community in San Antonio,” Trevino said. The community has responded with growing attendance at games.

Freshman forward Henry Pinkerman described the atmosphere as electric. “I think it’s like the coolest thing ever,” Pinkerman said. “I think that with the amount of fans we get and how loud they get, it’s pretty sweet.” Sorce added that the local support has surpassed what he anticipated when he joined the team.

The team aims to continue expanding its fan base and supporting youth hockey development in South Texas. As the conference season progresses, the Roadrunners will compete for a spot in the postseason while trying to secure their first conference trophy.