Franco Harris

We are saddened and overwhelmed with the loss of a wonderful man!  Franco was a part of Happy Valley Cruise from the start, and we will miss him in our hearts forever.

In 2024 our official NIL collective partner, Success With Honor, will be bringing current Penn State student-athletes on the cruise from sports including football, wrestling, ice hockey, women's volleyball, women's basketball, basketball, lacrosse, women's soccer and field hockey. 

Get to meet the stars of today and hear from them about their Penn State experiences and get insight on the 2024-25 seasons.

Our complete Success With Honor roster will be unveiled during the coming weeks and months so stay tuned. 

Happy Valley Cruise Announces Charity Selection for 2024 Cruise to Bahamas 

The Happy Valley Cruise (HVC) is proud to announce the beneficiary of its fourth annual cruise – The Loretta Claiborne and Sue Paterno Endowment for Special Olympics Pennsylvania. This Endowment benefits Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s 16,000 athletes across the Commonwealth. 

Using the theme, “See the Legends . . . Hear the Roar – Celebrating Generations of Greatness!” the March 3, 2024 cruise features PSU Football Legends Lydell Mitchell, Blair Thomas, Chuck Burkhart, Jay Paterno, Tom Bradley, Stephen Pitts, and Mickey Shuler. Current Penn State student athletes may also be added to the line-up of special guests. 

The Happy Valley Cruise was set up in 2019 by Sue Paterno, and is run by Eileen Miner of Thompson Tours, to raise funds for charity. The 2019 and 2020 Happy Valley Cruises made donations directly to Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA). The 2024 cruise continues that relationship by focusing on the Loretta Claiborne and Sue Paterno Endowment for Special Olympics Pennsylvania. 

Special Olympics was created by the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation. Special Olympics Pennsylvania is authorized and accredited by Special Olympics Inc. for the benefit of persons with intellectual disabilities. For more information on SOPA go to www.specialolympicspa.org or for more information on the Loretta Claiborne and Sue Paterno Endowment go to Loretta Claiborne & Sue. Paterno Endowment - Special Olympics Pennsylvania (www.give.specialolympicspa.org).