UTSA Hockey Seeks First Conference Trophy
The Roadrunners aim to win the Texas Collegiate Hockey Conference title while sharing rinks with other users.
By Charlotte Dubois ·
San Antonio hockey fans have a new team to cheer for as the UTSA Roadrunners pursue a conference championship. The program competes in the Texas Collegiate Hockey Conference, a league that includes Texas A&M, Texas, TCU, and Texas State. This is the first season the Roadrunners play in a conference, a shift that head coach James Hiebert says has sharpened the team's focus.
The roster consists of players between the ages of 18 and 30. Hiebert noted that the team is predominantly made up of South Texas boys. The group includes students studying to become doctors and dentists. They play a fast and physical style of hockey. The conference structure provides a clearer target for the players than independent play did in previous years.
Travis Sorce, a postgraduate right winger, said the conference format incentivizes the players to work toward a specific goal. He stated that it has allowed the team to compete at a much higher level. The team operates without the backing of a large athletic department. Players fund their own participation in the program.
The Roadrunners do not have a dedicated locker room. They share the two ice sheets in San Antonio with other users across the city. Justin Trevino, a junior defenseman and team president, said those logistical challenges have not stopped the program from growing. He urged the community not to give up on the players or the school. He also emphasized the importance of supporting the local hockey community.
Fans have responded to the team's efforts. Freshman forward Henry Pinkerman described the crowd atmosphere as the coolest thing he has experienced. He noted that the fans are loud and present in large numbers. Sorce said the level of support exceeded his expectations. He remarked that he never thought San Antonio would bring that kind of energy to the rink.
The Rampage professional team left the city, creating a gap in local hockey. UTSA hockey has operated in ACHA Division II since 2023. The team aims to strengthen youth hockey in South Texas. They want to keep local talent developing in a city that remains hungry for the sport.
