{{Short description|Basketball arena in Erie, Pennsylvania}} {{More citations needed|date=March 2022}} {{Use American English|date=August 2025}} {{Infobox venue | name = Highmark Events Center | nickname = "The Mill" | image = <!-- Deleted image removed: 250px -->
| | fullname = Highmark Events Center | former_names = Gannon Auditorium (1949–1983), The Hammermill (1983–2021) | location = 620 Peach St, Erie, Pennsylvania | coordinates = | broke_ground = | built = | opened = 1949-50 Season | renovated = | expanded = | closed = | demolished = | owner = | operator = | surface = | scoreboard = | estimated_cost = | suites = | architect = | project_manager = | structural_engineer = | services_engineer = | general_contractor = | main_contractors = | capacity = 2,800 | record_attendance = 3,200 | executive_suites = | dimensions = | acreage = | tenants = }}
The '''Highmark Events Center''' (formerly '''The Hammermill''', the '''Gannon Auditorium''', and "'''The Audi'''") is a 2,800-seat basketball arena on the campus of Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania. Built in 1949, it is home to various Gannon athletic teams.
==History== The arena was opened in 1949 as the '''Gannon Auditorium''', or "'''The Audi'''".
It was renamed the Hammermill Center in February 1983 after the Hammermill Paper Company donated money to repair and improve the arena. In February 2022, it was renamed Highmark Events Center after Highmark Health, which donated money for a $10 million renovation.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://campaign.gannon.edu/priorities/campus-enhancements/athletic-complex/ | title=Highmark Events Center }}</ref>
The 36,560-square-foot center is home to the university’s basketball, volleyball, wrestling, acrobatics and tumbling, and competitive cheer teams. Other events held there have included community lectures, concerts, camps, events and programs.
==Attendance== {| class="wikitable" ! 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)
==References== {{Reflist}}
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Category:Gannon University Category:College basketball venues in Pennsylvania Category:Indoor arenas in Pennsylvania Category:Buildings and structures in Erie, Pennsylvania Category:1949 establishments in Pennsylvania Category:Sports venues completed in 1949