The Bellarmine University basketball program is bringing its home games back to campus, returning to the familiar confines of Knights Hall after several seasons at Freedom Hall. The move comes as the school completes its transition to full NCAA Division I status, making the Knights officially eligible for postseason play.
After the program’s leap to Division I, the Knights found initial success at Freedom Hall, notably winning the ASUN Tournament championship there in 2022. The venue, with its 18,000-seat capacity, provided ample space for fans during the COVID-19 pandemic, but its size ultimately proved excessive for the program’s needs. While attendance has increased since Bellarmine’s Division II days, it has not come close to filling Freedom Hall.
The return to campus addresses the desires of many longtime fans who missed the intimate atmosphere of Knights Hall in the Highlands. Additionally, students often found it challenging to attend games held off-campus. The move back to Knights Hall will begin with the 2024-25 season, where both the men’s and women’s basketball teams will aim for an NCAA Tournament berth from their cozy, on-campus venue.
This announcement coincides with Bellarmine’s official eligibility for Division I postseason play, following a mandatory four-year reclassification period. Bellarmine made headlines in 2022 when its men’s basketball team won the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament, becoming the first reclassifying men’s basketball team in NCAA history to earn a spot in March Madness.
With the transition complete and basketball returning to its roots, Bellarmine is poised to create new memories and continue its success in the Division I landscape.
