Submitted by Happy Valley Adventure Bureau
STATE COLLEGE — The Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance has been awarded the hosting rights for the 2025 United States Association of Collegiate Fencing Clubs National Championships.
The USACFC was established in 2003 to educate and promote fencing at the collegiate level throughout the United States. The organization, initially comprising 13 teams, has grown to over 45 teams since its inception. USACFC was formed as a Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation in 2005 and in 2024 joined USA Fencing, the national governing board for the sport, as an autonomous subdivision.
Each year, the organization holds a national fencing championship, rotating between the South, Midwest, mid-Atlantic and Northeast.
The national championship is scheduled to take place in 2025 on April 5 and 6 at the Nittany Valley Sports Centre.
More than 45 collegiate club fencing teams from across the nation will converge for this competition, showcasing their skills and camaraderie during the two-day tournament.
USACFC has evolved into a prominent organization dedicated to promoting and advancing collegiate fencing throughout the United States and continues to foster growth within the collegiate community. This will be the first year that the event will be a sanctioned USA Fencing event, as USACFC joins the organization as an autonomous subdivision starting with the 2024-25 season.
USACFC President Jo Klatzman Higgison expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming championships.
“Hosting the championship in Happy Valley, where fencing has such a strong tradition, is extremely exciting,” she said. “It’s amazing to see how deeply this community values the sport. I’m looking forward to witnessing our collegiate athletes continue to honor the tradition and camaraderie of fencing in this special place.”
The 2025 USACFC National Championships will feature a comprehensive tournament format, encompassing team and individual events across all three fencing weapons: foil, epee and sabre. It will cater to both men’s and women’s teams. More than 800 collegiate athletes and an additional 200 coaches, staff and spectators are expected to attend.
“We are thrilled to welcome the 2025 USACFC National Championships to Happy Valley,” HVSEA Executive Director Eric Engelbarts said. “As a hub for collegiate sports and athletics, our community is eager to host this notable event, highlighting the talent and dedication of collegiate fencers from across the country.”
