The Hammermill Center is a 2,800 seat basketball arena home to the Gannon Golden Knights located on the campus of Gannon University

Gannon University

Gannon University is a private, co-educational Catholic university offering associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees, certificates and doctoral degrees and is located in Erie, Pennsylvania. Gannon University has an alumni base numbering around 31,500. Current enrollment is 4,238.Gannon's...

 in Erie, Pennsylvania

Erie, Pennsylvania

Erie is a city located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the United States. Named for the lake and the Native American tribe that resided along its southern shore, Erie is the state's fourth-largest city , with a population of 102,000...

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History

The Facility was originally known as the Gannon Auditorium, or affectionately called "The Audi" by long time Gannon faithful. The facility was rededicated and renamed the Hammermill Center in February 1983 in honor of the Hammermill Paper Company, whose generosity enabled the University to make necessary repairs and improvements.

Atmosphere

Gannon's men's basketball teams have had a decided home-court advantage for many years, thanks to the diehard fans known as the "Gannon Faithful" for their aggressiveness and action used to created loud noises. Filled to the rafters on most nights, the Hammermill Center has been called one of the most hostile environments in DII basketball. Here are some quotes from opposing coaches who have coached in the Hammermill Center:
"This crowd is intense...The fans are close to the floor...It is a challenging place to play, especially come tournament time."
- John Kochan, Former Millersville head coach.

"Gannon is a tough place to win due to the proximity of the crowds, the noise level and their tratidion...The crowd is truly involved as the sixth man."
-Herb MaGee, Philadelphia Textile

"Gannon is Division II with a Division I atmosphere...They live and die basketball...It is sold out constantly...The fans life the home team and rattle the visitor."
-Darrel Halloran, Former Pace Head Coach

Attendance Records

Attendance records for the past 10 seasons.

Year	Total Attendance	Avg. Attendance	Conf. Ranking	National Ranking
2000-01^	30,988	1,823	1	30
2001-02^	33,981	2,124	1	20
2002-03^	29,525	1,845	1	27
2003-04^	31,234	1,837	1	26
2004-05^	23,615	1,574	2	NR
2005-06^	20,122	1,184	3	NR
2006-07^	17,074	1,220	2	NR
2007-08^	26,773	1,575	1	22
2008-09^^	38,583	1,754	1	24
2009-10^^	17,594	1,035	2	NR

^ Member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC)

^^ Member of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC)