UTSA Hockey Targets Conference Title

Players on the UTSA Roadrunners hockey team range in age from 18 to 30. This age gap reflects a program that serves as a substitute for professional hockey in San Antonio. The city has not had a pro team since the Rampage departed. Since 2023, the university has filled that void with a college level squad in ACHA Division II.

Head coach James Hiebert noted the team is composed predominantly of South Texas boys. This local identity anchors the roster, which includes individuals pursuing careers as doctors and dentists. The group plays a physical style on the ice. They compete against programs such as Texas A&M, Texas, TCU, and rival Texas State.

The 2026 season marks the first time UTSA competes in the Texas Collegiate Hockey Conference. Postgraduate right winger Travis Sorce stated that this new structure incentivizes players to work toward a specific goal. He said the conference format has allowed the team to compete at a much higher level.

The program operates with limited resources. It is player-funded and does not have a dedicated locker room. The team shares two ice sheets in San Antonio with other users across the city. Junior defenseman and team president Justin Trevino said these challenges have not slowed the program's growth. He urged the community not to give up on the school or the hockey community in San Antonio.

Local fans have responded to the team's efforts. Freshman forward Henry Pinkerman described the fan support as the coolest thing ever. He pointed to the loud atmosphere as evidence of the community's engagement. Sorce said the support has exceeded his expectations. He noted that he never thought San Antonio would bring that kind of fire to the sport.