Gannon University was first established in 1933 as the two-year Cathedral College by the Diocese of Erie under the leadership of Joseph J.

[3][4] The all-girls school Villa Maria College, which was founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1925,[5] merged with the university in 1989.

Gannon offers 19 Division II scholarship-granting varsity sports, that includes nine men's and women's teams.

The men participate in baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, swimming, water polo, wrestling, competitive cheer.

The women participate in basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, volleyball, water polo, wrestling, acrobatics and tumbling, and competitive cheer and dance.