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

In summer 2015, a doctoral branch campus opened in Ruskin, Florida focusing on healthcare majors.

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.