Happy Valley Highlights: HVSEA’S 2023 Year in Review
As we approach the finish line of 2023, let's reflect on the successes achieved over the past calendar year.
State College, PA | December 14, 2023 — As we bid farewell to an eventful year in our region, the Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance is excited to share a recap of the marquee events that have kept our community buzzing with excitement. From thrilling athletic competitions to cultural festivals, Happy Valley has truly been the place to be. Let's take a stroll down memory lane and relive some of the highlights from each quarter of 2023.
Q1: A Dynamic Start to the Year
The year kicked off with a busy month of January. Notable events included the USA Indoor Field Hockey National Qualifier, two separate clashes at the Bryce Jordan Center between Penn State and Iowa and Penn State and Michigan in wrestling, and the Sykes & Sabock Challenge Track & Field meet.
The inaugural Happy Valley Rally volleyball tournament hosted by We Build You Play was held in January as well, bringing in 50 teams and nearly 750 athletes from across the northeast.
February continued the excitement with the inaugural Happy Valley Comic Con, bringing together comic and collectible enthusiasts of all ages.
THON Weekend at the Jordan Center highlighted the power of community and philanthropy, with students raising a record-breaking $15M+ to fight pediatric cancer.
March was a busy crescendo with the Marquee Hoops Winter Circuit Championship, PA Middle School Basketball Championships, and the IEA Zone 11 Finals at the Equine Facility.
The 41st Hockey Valley Invitational at Pegula Ice Arena added an icy touch to the end of the month. Bruce Springsteen and Kenny Chesney also took center stage at the Bryce Jordan Center the last two weeks of March.
The inaugural Happy Valley Comics & Collectibles Convention took place this past February at the Nittany Valley Sports Centre.
Q2: Spring Into Action
As spring blossomed, so did the sports scene. April saw Hockey Valley event return for a 2nd weekend, along with the DIII Commonwealth Golf Championships.
The 2023 NCAA Men’s Gymnastics Championships took place at Rec Hall, witnessing Stanford University take home their 9th national championship May brought diverse events, including the American Cornhole Major Tournament, Nittany Valley Round Ball Classic, and the Centre Elite Gymnastics XCEL States.
June heated up with various tournaments such as the Hurricane Junior Golf Summer College Prep Series and the Twirling North Atlantic Regional Championships hosted by M-Twirling.
The first-ever PIAA Spring Sport Championships Festival took full-focus in mid-June, featuring three action-packed days of Pennsylvania’s high school championships occurring across five different sports and four facilities on Penn State’s campus. Two local teams – Bellefonte Area High School and Bald Eagle Area High School – etched lifelong memories, winning their respective state titles in their own backyard.
The first-ever PIAA Spring Sport Championships Festival hit Happy Valley in June, with two hometown teams securing state titles in baseball.
Q3: Summer Sizzles with Sports and Culture
July started with a bang, featuring perhaps one of the largest events the region has ever hosted, with the inaugural IRONMAN® 70.3® Pennsylvania Happy Valley occurring on July 2nd. The event saw 2,408 athletes from 42 U.S. States and 8 countries. Furthermore, the event enlisted the help and support of dozens of local agencies and over 1,100 volunteers. The success of the event was tangible, generating more than $4.4M for the local economy, resulting in an estimated 7,170 room nights over the course of 3-4 nights.
These impressive inaugural benchmarks were recognized within the industry, with the event being honored by Sports Destination Management as one of their 2023 Champions of Economic Impact.
Outside of IRONMAN®, the Firecracker Frenzy at Oak Hall and the CRPR Men’s Open 50th Annual Miller High Life Tournament occurred in the heat of summer. The American Junior Golf Association’s Annual Happy Valley Golf Tournament returned to Penn State Golf Courses, and of course, the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts was a week to circle the calendar. The month closed with the Hurricane Junior Golf Tournament, wrapping up a sizzling summer of sports and entertainment.
August saw the ASA/USA Men’s Slow Pitch Tournaments, Future Stars Youth Baseball, and the Penn State Fall Move in Week. The iconic Grange Fair took center stage, captivating the community with its traditions.
The inaugural IRONMAN® 70.3® Pennsylvania Happy Valley was, by all accounts, a resounding success and a fantastic event weekend for the HV community.
Q4: A Grand Finale to the Year
September featured three home football games – including the annual Whiteout Weekend vs. Iowa, and West Virginia’s return to Beaver Stadium for the first time since 1991.
An important organizational benchmark occurred in September as well for HVSEA – the organization’s inaugural Board of Directors Meeting on September 7.
October kicked off with the USCAA National Golf Championships, setting the stage for a championship-packed month at Penn State Golf Courses. The PIAA State Golf Championships returned for the second straight year, bringing in 216 qualifying golfers for Individual Championships, and 120 for team championships on the final day of competition.
The Centre Film Festival had yet another successful run, beginning at the end of October and extending through early November, with screenings and industry-driven conversations taking place all over the county.
The National Club Basketball Association kicked their season off at the Nittany Valley Sports Centre, with the 4th Annual Happy Valley Fall Tip-Off. Northeastern University’s Men’s Club Basketball Team took home the championship.
The Nittany Valley Half Marathon – benefiting Centre Volunteers in Medicine – was rocking and rolling in early December, bringing in roughly 600 runners to test their limits on the rolling hills of Happy Valley.
The 42nd Hockey Valley Invitational is set to take place during the holidays at Pegula Ice Arena, with the date change allowing for a festive twist to the tournament typically hosted in the spring.
As we reflect on the past year, we express our heartfelt gratitude to the athletes, organizers, and the entire Happy Valley community for making each event a resounding success. Here's to another year of thrilling sports, unforgettable moments, and the unbreakable spirit of Happy Valley!
HVSEA’s Board of Directors held its inaugural meeting on September 7th at the Letterman’s Lounge inside of Beaver Stadium.
Looking Ahead to 2024
Listed below are some major events you’ll want to be sure to circle your calendar for:
JANUARY
27-28: 2024 Happy Valley Rally hosted by We Build You Play Sports Group
FEBRUARY
12: Penn State Wrestling vs. Rutgers at Bryce Jordan Center
16-18: THON Weekend 2024
23-25: Happy Valley Comic & Collectibles Convention
MARCH
8: Dropkick Murphys 2024 U.S. St. Patrick’s Day Tour
12: Zach Bryan’s The Quittin’ Time Tour 2024
15-17: 2024 Pennsylvania Middle School Girls Basketball Championships
18: Drake ‘It’s All A Blur – Big As The What?’ Tour
22-24: 2024 Pennsylvania Middle School Boys Basketball Championships
APRIL
12-14: Blue/White Weekend
19-20: 2024 U.S. Olympic Wrestling Team Trials
26: Luke Combs Growin’ Up and Getting’ Old Tour at Beaver Stadium
MAY
25-26: 2024 Happy Volley Club Championships
JUNE
6-8: Special Olympics Pennsylvania
13-15: PIAA Spring Sport Championships Festival
28-30: IRONMAN® 70.3® Pennsylvania Happy Valley Weekend
JULY
4: Central PA 4th Fest
11-14: People’s Choice Festival
4: Central PA Festival of the Arts
SEPTEMBER
7: Penn State Football vs. Bowling Green
21: Penn State Football vs. Kent State
28: Penn State Football vs. Illinois
OCTOBER
5: Penn State Football vs. UCLA
21-23: 2024 PIAA Golf Championships
NOVEMBER
2: Penn State Football vs. Ohio State
9: Penn State Football vs. Washington
30: Penn State Football vs. Maryland
DECEMBER
8: Nittany Valley Half-Marathon
Thank you for your support of HVSEA! Stay up-to-date in 2024 and connect with us.