Back to College Rose Bowl Beginnings
Pasadena’s Rose Bowl game is more than just one of the semi-finals in the annual College Football Playoff. The oldest post-season bowl in US college gridiron, it’s a testament to 116 years of California history, and a tradition that has started the New Year with a top-level college football clash through 104 editions.
Of those 104 editions, 103 Rose Bowls have been consecutive since 1916, and all have revelled in the formal name ‘the Pasadena Tournament of Roses’. The first game, played in 1902, was a sporty addition to Pasadena’s annual Battle of the Flowers. Begun in 1890, the Battle of the Flowers established the yearly Rose Parade and its familiar caravan of flower-bedecked floats.
The 1902 game featured the Michigan Wolverines versus the Stanford Cardinal, in which the Wolverines performed a 49-0 evisceration of the California team. After that inaugural game, however, football was omitted from the Rose Parade festivities for 13 years.
Rose Bowl Resurrected in 2016
After more than a decade experimenting with chariot races and other outlandish amusements to headline their annual Tournament of Roses, the Pasadena organisers decided to install college football as the permanent capper to the festival; a feature that soon became a revered tradition.
Since 2016, the Rose Bowl has served as the finale to every Pasadena Tournament of Roses, bar one. The Rose Bowl Stadium opened in 1922, and the game has been played there every year from 1923; again, with one exception.
That exception was in 1942, shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbour. Authorities, having realised (presumably) that after attacking US ships, aircraft and military installations, the Japanese would rank football next on their list of strategic priorities, moved the game to Durham, North Carolina.
By 1947, the opponents for the Rose Bowl had been formalised, bringing together the champion teams from the Midwest’s Big Ten against the Pacific Coast conferences that would become the Pacific-12. From there, the annual game evolved into the semi-final of the College Football Playoff Championship.
More About Cameron Hollands
After working part time in one of Australia’s finest casinos to fund his journalism studies, Cameron Hollands discovered a passion for sports betting. A few years and many successful bets later, he is now putting his considerable experience to good use, and is a regular contributor for australiansportsbetting.net.
Cameron’s expert advice, insight into the sporting world and straightforward reporting style has earned him many fans, and he enjoys sharing his expertise with fellow punters.
You May Also Like:
Tommy Watson Resigns As Lambert Coach
Lambert football coach Tommy Watson has announced his decision to step down after only two seasons coaching the Longhorns. Watson also said he plans on accepting the role of head ….
Landmark Maternity Ruling For Football
Going forward, England’s professional female football players will enjoy maternity cover as well as long-term sickness insurance as part of their contracts. The landmark decision was hailed a massive step ….
FIFA Confirms Investigation Into Gabon Abuse
World governing body FIFA has now confirmed the official opening of an investigation following allegations of sexual abuse in Gabonese football. The investigation will be conducted by FIFA’s independent ethics ….
Norwich’s Dan Barden Diagnosed With Cancer
Norwich goalie Dan Barden has been diagnosed with testicular cancer. According to a statement issued by Norwich City this week, the 20-year-old will be closely monitored during his entire time ….
Olyroos Sanctioned For Bad Behaviour
Australia’s Olympic Football contingency has been admonished for poor behaviour put on during a flight back home from the Tokyo Olympics. While Football Australia has reportedly imposed sanctions on the ….