By Chris Buchignani | February 25, 2026
There are moments when you realize something special is happening right where you live.
Not someday.
Not somewhere else.
Right here. Right now.
That is exactly why Connect Happy Valley Sports exists.
Watch the trailer above. Full episode at the end of this article.
This week marks the launch of our first-ever sports segment, and fittingly, we begin with someone who understands this place as deeply as anyone: Chris Buchignani.
Because this conversation is not really about scores or standings.
It is about why Happy Valley keeps pulling people back.
A Town Built Around More Than a University
As Chris says early in the conversation, both of us share something almost irrational:
We are foolishly in love with this place.
Happy Valley grew from farmland surrounding a land-grant university into something rare in America today. Within a fifteen-minute drive, you can experience world-class athletics, intellectual energy, outdoor beauty, national touring performances, and a community where people actually know each other.
And right now, all of those forces are converging.
The Greatest Sports Moment You Might Be Missing
Most people associate Penn State with football. And rightly so.
But what Chris Buchignani explains in this inaugural episode may surprise even lifelong residents.
We are living through an extraordinary era across multiple Penn State programs at the same time:
• Penn State Wrestling continuing a dynasty comparable to UCLA basketball under John Wooden
• Men’s and Women’s Hockey both ranked among the nation’s elite
• Olympic gold medal talent emerging from Hockey Valley
• Major championship events coming directly to the Bryce Jordan Center
• Rising momentum in lacrosse, baseball, softball, and spring sports
• National-level competition happening minutes from our homes
Think about that for a moment.
Many cities would build entire tourism campaigns around events like these.
Here in Happy Valley, they happen on a Tuesday night.
Ten Minutes From Your Doorstep
One of the most powerful moments in the discussion comes when Chris notes something longtime residents quietly understand:
You can attend some of the best collegiate sporting events in America and still be home twenty minutes later.
No traffic gridlock.
No urban chaos.
No two-hour commute.
Just world-class experiences embedded into everyday life.
For many who once asked, “Why are you still there?” the question has flipped to:
“How do I get back?”
Why Connect Happy Valley Sports Matters
This new segment is not about highlights alone.
It is about connection.
Sports in Happy Valley are gathering places. Shared rituals. Third places where alumni, students, families, and lifelong residents sit shoulder to shoulder and experience something larger than themselves.
They are one of the great engines that turn neighbors into community.
And over the next month especially, the calendar is packed with events that will bring energy, visitors, and unforgettable moments into our region.
Consider this your invitation to lean in.
Watch the First Episode
In this kickoff conversation, Greg Woodman and Chris Buchignani break down:
Why this may be the most exciting winter sports season ever in Happy Valley
The Penn State wrestling dynasty happening in real time
Why Hockey Valley has become nationally elite
Major championships arriving in our backyard
The hidden magic of living in a true college town
👇 Watch the full conversation below.
Chris Buchignani is cohost of The Obligatory PSU Podcast and The Obligatory PSU Pregame Show, entering its 10th season this Fall. He teaches a course on Penn State Football History for Penn State OLLI.
