A new celebration of girls' athletics is coming to Happy Valley this Memorial Day weekend. The inaugural See Her Win festival will debut at Penn State University from May 22-23, bringing together athletes, families, and fans from across the region for a high-energy weekend centered on competition, leadership, and connection.

Hosted by the Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance in partnership with Teammates for Life, the multi-sport festival is designed for middle school and high school girls' athletes and aims to create an experience that extends far beyond the field of play.

With the theme “Compete. Connect. Be Inspired.” See Her Win will feature tournament competition, athlete mentorship, community programming, leadership opportunities, and family-friendly experiences throughout Memorial Day weekend in Happy Valley.

A Weekend Celebrating Girls' Athletics

The inaugural festival will include competition in five sports:

• Flag football
• Field hockey
• Lacrosse
• Rugby
• Wheelchair basketball

Tournament play will take place Saturday, May 23, across several Penn State athletic venues, including the Intramural Fields, the Field Hockey Complex, and the Multi-Sport Indoor Facility. Organizers anticipate approximately 70 teams participating in the festival’s first year.

In addition to tournament competition, attendees can expect a full schedule of programming focused on empowering young athletes through sport. Planned activities include student-athlete panels, clinics, and an ice cream social.

“The See Her Win festival is a powerful expression of the Happy Valley Sports and Entertainment Alliance’s mission to elevate Happy Valley through sports and entertainment that enriches quality of life, creates meaningful economic impact, and raises the visibility of our region,” said HVSEA Executive Director Eric Engelbarts.

By championing girls' athletics through inclusive competition, mentorship, and leadership development at Penn State, See Her Win strengthens our community today while inspiring the next generation of athletes and leaders for years to come.

Turn the Festival Into a Full Memorial Day Weekend Getaway

Visitors attending See Her Win can also enjoy a full lineup of Memorial Day weekend events and attractions throughout Happy Valley.

Friday, May 22

• Burning Ma’am Music Festival in Woodward
• Memorial Day festivities in Boalsburg, recognized as the birthplace of Memorial Day
• UV Night Hike at Black Moshannon State Park

Saturday, May 23

• YMCA of Centre County Black Moshannon 5K and 10K Run/Walk
• Shaver's Creek Environmental Center 50th Anniversary Celebration
• Opening weekend at DelGrosso's Amusement Park
• Boalsburg Memorial Day Parade
• America250PA concert featuring Cole Swindell and Gabby Barrett at the Bryce Jordan Center

Sunday, May 24

• Stars & Stripes Tea + Tour at the Columbus Chapel and Boal Mansion Museum

Monday, May 25

• Memorial Day Festival at Boal Mansion
• Memorial Day Carnival in Boalsburg
• Pontoon boat rides at Black Moshannon State Park

Looking Beyond the Festival

Organizers hope See Her Win becomes more than a single-weekend event. The long-term vision includes expanding the initiative into year-round programming and campaigns that continue supporting girls' athletics and leadership development across the region.

For athletes, families, and fans, the inaugural event represents a new opportunity to celebrate girls in sports while experiencing the energy, hospitality, and community spirit that define Happy Valley.

Additional schedules, registration information, and event updates are available at See Her Win

Opening Ceremony to Feature Female Leaders in Sports

The weekend officially begins Friday evening with the See Her Win Opening Ceremony, scheduled for 7-8:30 p.m. Friday, May 22, at the Multi-Sport Indoor Facility on Penn State’s campus. The event is free and open to the public, and local girls and families are encouraged to attend.

The opening ceremony will feature remarks from accomplished women in athletics and leadership, including:

• Marie-Eloise Leclair, Penn State track and field athlete and 2024 Olympian
• Grace Anne McCooey, Princeton field hockey athlete and co-founder and CEO of Instant Replay
• Maggie Redden, Paralympian, former Penn State athlete, and current Penn State Athletics staff member

The evening will also include a wheelchair basketball demonstration and interactive experience, giving attendees the opportunity to learn about and try the sport firsthand.

Built on Partnership and Purpose

See Her Win is supported by a growing network of organizations committed to advancing opportunities for girls in sports, including Unrivaled Sports, Tenacity Project, Rise Above, LaxFaxx, and The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau.

Penn State leaders and coaches are also helping shape the experience, including:

• Lauren Shissler, Penn State women’s rugby head coach
• Missy Doherty, former Penn State women’s lacrosse head coach
• Char Morett-Curtiss, legendary former Penn State field hockey head coach, founder of Teammates for Life, and member of the HVSEA board of directors

“I am thrilled to be a part of HVSEA’s new adventure, See Her Win, an athletic gala celebrating young girls having fun playing on the athletic fields of Penn State,” said Morett-Curtiss.

“This one-of-a-kind event is about inspiring, promoting, and supporting girls to build confidence, leadership, and new friendships through sport. As the leader of Teammates for Life, we look to continue our mission to engage, elevate, and celebrate our young female athletes coming to Happy Valley, Pennsylvania.”