Gannon University continued its longstanding commitment to Make-A-Wish, ranking third among all NCAA Division II institutions and leading the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) in fundraising during the 2025-26 academic year.

The Golden Knights raised $13,483 to support Make-A-Wish and its mission of granting life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses. Gannon finished behind only Augustana (S.D.), which led all Division II institutions for the second consecutive year with $32,000, and Fairmont State, which raised $23,000.

Gannon's fundraising efforts also helped the PSAC finish second among Division II conferences, raising a combined $44,636.

"Make-A-Wish provides Gannon students and the Erie community with an opportunity to give back to something bigger than ourselves," said Ella Hale, Gannon's SAAC Make-A-Wish Chair and a member of the Golden Knights' competitive cheer and dance team. "Hosting our annual reveal inspires each team to get involved in the process and reminds us of the impact we can make when we work toward something greater."

Thanks to their fundraising efforts, Gannon was one of just 16 Division II institutions nationwide to earn a Make-A-Wish experience. Four PSAC institutions were among those recognized, including Edinboro, Gannon, Millersville and West Chester.

The Golden Knights will now host their ninth consecutive Make-A-Wish reveal during the 2026-27 academic year, continuing the University's tradition of community engagement and service through athletics.

Gannon hosted its eighth consecutive Wish Reveal on Feb. 7, 2026, during a basketball doubleheader at the Highmark Events Center. The Golden Knights helped grant a wish for Reagan, a 13-year-old Erie native, who learned that she, her brother Charles and her mother Tina would be traveling to SeaWorld and other Orlando theme parks.

The surprise was revealed through a mock episode of Reagan's favorite television show, Friends, titled "The One Where Reagan Goes to Florida."

Gannon's commitment to community engagement also earned national recognition earlier this year when the University was named one of just 26 schools nationwide as a finalist for the 2026 NCAA Division II Award of Excellence.

The accolade recognizes initiatives that exemplify the Division II philosophy, community engagement and student-athlete leadership. The Golden Knights earned the opportunity to represent the PSAC through the significant impact of their Make-A-Wish campaign, which at the time had included seven consecutive years of granting wishes to children with critical illnesses.

PSAC Pride
The PSAC finished second nationally among Division II conferences with $44,636 raised during the 2025-26 academic year. The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference led all conferences with more than $53,000.

Gannon led all PSAC institutions in fundraising, ranking third nationally among Division II schools. The Golden Knights continued to play a major role in the conference's success after ranking second nationally during the 2024-25 academic year with $14,339 raised.

A year ago, the PSAC led all conferences with $41,341 raised, marking the third time in four years the conference had earned the top fundraising honor.

Division II's Lasting Impact
Collectively, NCAA Division II raised more than $270,000 for Make-A-Wish during the 2025-26 academic year, including $221,420 from Division II schools and conferences and another $51,451 from the division's championships and enforcement fine allocation.

Since 2003, Division II institutions have donated more than $7 million to Make-A-Wish, helping grant more than 700 wishes for children with critical illnesses.

"As NCAA Division II student-athletes, we emphasize the life-in-the-balance philosophy among college academics, athletics and community outreach," said Rachel McCool, an Ashland women's soccer student-athlete and current national chair of the Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

"It is fundamental to give back and to serve the communities that continue to support college athletics. As an official Division II partner, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has been an integral part of the development of student-athletes. We see the amazing impact that this foundation has on the families it serves. This serves as a reminder for our student-athletes that there is more to life than the games we play, and it is part of our mission to help make a positive change in our communities. I am excited to continue this partnership with Make-A-Wish and help raise money to support their impactful and moving mission."

Gannon's continued commitment to Make-A-Wish reflects the University's dedication to service and community engagement, a hallmark of the Golden Knights' mission both on and off the field.

NCAA Division II Schools Earning Make-A-Wish Experiences

• Anderson (S.C.)
• Augustana (S.D.)
• Belmont Abbey
• Edinboro
• Fairmont State
• Findlay
• GANNON
• Kentucky Wesleyan
• Millersville
• Minnesota State Mankato
• Missouri Southern State
• North Georgia
• Northern Michigan
• Walsh
• Wayne State (Neb.)
• West Chester