Erie News Now | WICU & WSEE in Erie, PAGannon and Erie Win Bid for Major College Basketball Tournament

Gannon and Erie Win Bid for Major College Basketball Tournament

Gannon University and the City of Erie have won a bid to host a major college basketball tournament. It's the Division II Elite 8, women's championship tournament.

 Gannon officials credit cooperation from VisitErie and the Erie County Convention Center for helping to secure the bid from the NCAA.

 The March 2014 tournament is expected to bring thousands of visitors to Erie and put the city and university in the national spotlight.

 Erie Mayor Joe Sinnott said, "It is a great thing for the community because it brings people here who have not seen Erie before and that is the biggest way to market our community."

 All the games will be played at the Erie Insurance Arena, currently undergoing a $42 million renovation.

 Casey Wells of the Erie County Convention Authority said, "This I believe will be the start of many dividends that will be paid through the re-investment in our arena."

 In the spring of 2011, Erie hosted NCAA Division I Women's Hockey Championship tournament.