General | 4/20/2026 11:51:00 AM

ERIE, PA - Gannon Volleyball head coach Matt Darling, along with three otherindividuals associated with Gannon Athletics, have been announced as part of the Class of 2026 for the Erie Sports Hall of Fame.

"Matt has had an incredible impact not only on our women's volleyball student-athletes and program, but department, institution, and community. His dedication and commitment to excellence represent the very best of Gannon Athletics, and we are excited for him to be recognized with this meaningful honor", said Director of Athletics Meghan Morphy. "Congratulations, Dr. Darling!"

Darling recently completed his 19th season as Gannon's women's volleyball coach. He has enjoyed incredible success ranking among the Division II leaders in career wins and winning percentage with a 459-159 record. He has guided the Golden Knights to 16 straight NCAA Division II Tournament appearances with six Atlantic Regional championships. Darling is the program's all-time leader in wins.

Gannon has now reached the Elite Eight six of last eight years after winning the 2025 regional title. The 2025 Golden Knights finished at 27-8 winning the Atlantic Regional and reaching the Elite Eight for a second straight year. During 19 seasons as the Gannon head coach, he has become the all-time wins leader among the program's coaches while also serving as a highly-respected English professor overseeing the English Department with the university.

He has a current run of 16 consecutive 20-win seasons (not including the abbreviated 2020-21 campaign that saw Gannon go 18-4) and an identical number of consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. That run includes the Golden Knights' first two NCAA Division II Final Four appearances and four conference championships.

Darling has been named the PSAC West Coach of the Year seven times and AVCA Atlantic Region Coach of the Year twice. He has had a total 21 All-Americans and numerous players have earned PSAC West Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors. He spent eight years as an assistant coach at multiple NCAA Division I programs. The Cambridge Springs, Pa., native worked at Auburn (2001-04), Marquette (1999-2001) and Michigan State (1994-97). At MSU, he was part of a Spartan program that won consecutive Big Ten titles and made an appearance in the 1995 NCAA Final Four.

In addition to Darling, former wrestling student-athlete and assistant coach Tom Lenox will also be inducted as part of the 2026 class. Tom Herman, former Gannon football Head Coach, is also part of the class of 2026. Additionally, former Gannon swimming and water polo standout Sonya Whitman will be inducted.

The 2026 Erie Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on Wednesday, June 24th at the Zem Zem Shrine Club. The full list of inductees is below:

Matt Darling
Ray Dickerson
Tom Herman
Tom Lenox
Val (Majewski) Morrison
Levonne Rowan, Jr
Bob Sensor
Damion Terry
Sonya Whitman
Mike Folga