Eric Engelbarts has been appointed as government director of the Happy Valley Sports and Entertainment Alliance. Photo offered

The Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance (HVSEA) has employed Eric Engelbarts to steer its effort to raise Centre County’s standing as a sports activities and leisure vacation spot, in response to a information launch on Monday.

Engelbarts was government director of Michigan Sports Alliance since 2012. During that point, he created and grew the State Games of Michigan, which embody greater than 50 sports activities, internet hosting 10,000 contributors at 45 venues, with an annual employment and financial influence of $3.25 million. He moreover piloted a second sports activities hub and profitable launch for Winter Games in Marquette, Michigan, amongst different accomplishments, in response to the discharge.

His expertise additionally consists of time with the Alabama Sports Festival, West Michigan Sports Commission and the National Congress of State Games.

HVSEA Board Chair William Oldsey mentioned “an excellent pool of talent expressed interest” within the place and that Engelbarts emerged as “the best of the best.”

“Eric has a wealth of experience and a track record of success in the sports and entertainment field,” Oldsey mentioned. “Working closely with Centre County and Penn State, the Alliance is well positioned to build on the exciting things starting to happen in Happy Valley in the athletic and entertainment arenas.”

Engelbarts earned a bachelor’s diploma in recreation, park and tourism administration from Western Illinois University and a grasp’s diploma in sport administration and recreation from Springfield College.

He will start as HVSEA government director on April 29.

“The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, search committee, and the Centre County community at large have been very welcoming to me and my family throughout the hiring process,” Engelbarts mentioned. “I look forward to leading the Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance in bringing visitors to the area to boost the local economy through sports and entertainment tourism.”

Announced in 2021 by the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB), HVSEA will function as a parallel, 501(c)3 nonprofit group with a separate board that may govern its exercise, with HVAB workers supporting the Alliance’s scope of labor.

The HVSEA shall be housed out of places of work on the HVAB’s fundamental customer heart at 204 W. Beaver Ave. in State College.

“Eric’s hiring is an exciting development for the Alliance, and for all of those who embraced the vision of what creating the HVSEA could mean for Centre County and the area,” HVAB President and CEO Fritz Smith mentioned. “We look forward to working with Eric and the HVSEA Board as they work to capitalize on the tremendous opportunity we see for Happy Valley to grow into a sought-after destination for marquee events and tournaments.”