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Podcasts Take Two
Rose Bowl at 100: Quirky things you didn't know, plus archival photos
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Dec 31, 2013
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Rose Bowl at 100: Quirky things you didn't know, plus archival photos
There are 35 college football bowl games this season, but in 1902, the Rose Bowl was the first. The second Rose Bowl didn't happen until more than a decade later. That's only one of the many quirks and highlights in the game's storied history.
In 1923, USC and Penn State had the honor of playing the first New Year's Day game in the Rose Bowl. In this photograph, USC fullback Joseph Campbell (No. 33) runs to Penn State's one-yard line. Although the play resulted in three points for Penn State, USC ultimately won the game 14-3.
In 1923, USC and Penn State had the honor of playing the first New Year's Day game in the Rose Bowl. In this photograph, USC fullback Joseph Campbell (No. 33) runs to Penn State's one-yard line. Although the play resulted in three points for Penn State, USC ultimately won the game 14-3.
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Courtesy of the Archives, Pasadena Museum of History, Main Photo Collection
)
This quintessential image of the Rose Bowl shows the stadium at its best: full to capacity. As the band performed the pregame show, people continued to flock to the south end entrance to fill the few remaining seats before the football game began.
This quintessential image of the Rose Bowl shows the stadium at its best: full to capacity. As the band performed the pregame show, people continued to flock to the south end entrance to fill the few remaining seats before the football game began.
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Photograph by J. Allen Hawkins; courtesy of the Archives, Pasadena Museum of History, Main Photo Collection
)
For the University of Washington team, the slow-paced parade must have stood in stark contrast to the hard-fought game they played afterward in the Rose Bowl. Both Washington and the Naval Academy had players carried off of the field, and Washington kicker Les Sherman managed two conversions with a broken toe. The final score of the brutal 1924 Rose Bowl game was 14-14.
For the University of Washington team, the slow-paced parade must have stood in stark contrast to the hard-fought game they played afterward in the Rose Bowl. Both Washington and the Naval Academy had players carried off of the field, and Washington kicker Les Sherman managed two conversions with a broken toe. The final score of the brutal 1924 Rose Bowl game was 14-14.
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Photograph by Flag Studios; courtesy of the Archives, Pasadena Museum of History, Flag Collection
)
It is difficult to imagine that the player charging through the defensive line in this photograph was nicknamed "Sleepy Jim" by his coach, Knute Rockne. Jim Crowley was one of Notre Dame's legendary "Four Horsemen," who won the Rose Bowl game against Stanford in 1925. Crucial to the win, Crowley almost did not play in the game because he and teammate Ed Huntsinger were caught staying out late the night before.
It is difficult to imagine that the player charging through the defensive line in this photograph was nicknamed "Sleepy Jim" by his coach, Knute Rockne. Jim Crowley was one of Notre Dame's legendary "Four Horsemen," who won the Rose Bowl game against Stanford in 1925. Crucial to the win, Crowley almost did not play in the game because he and teammate Ed Huntsinger were caught staying out late the night before.
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Courtesy of the Archives, Pasadena Museum of History, Main Photo Collection
)
This photograph was taken on Oct. 28, 1922, when the first football game took place in the bowl between two Pacific teams, California and USC, who would also play in the first official Rose Bowl Game against Penn State.
This photograph was taken on Oct. 28, 1922, when the first football game took place in the bowl between two Pacific teams, California and USC, who would also play in the first official Rose Bowl Game against Penn State.
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Photograph by Flag Studios; courtesy of the Archives, Pasadena Museum of History, Flag Collection
)

There are 35 college football bowl games this season, but in 1902, the Rose Bowl was the first. The second Rose Bowl didn't happen until more than a decade later. That's only one of the many quirks and highlights in the game's storied history.

Tomorrow in Pasadena, Michigan State and Stanford face off in the 100th Rose Bowl.

There are 35 college football bowl games this season, but in 1902, the Rose Bowl was the first. The second Rose Bowl didn't happen until more than a decade later. That's only one of the many quirks and highlights in the game's storied history. Reporter Doug Tribou has more.

RELATED: Rose Parade 2014 guide: Your pick for the 11 best places to visit in Pasadena

RELATED: Rose Parade 2014 guide: Maps and tips for parking, avoiding traffic

Doug Tribou is a reporter for NPR’s sport show "Only A Game."

Do you have a particular Rose Bowl or Rose Parade memory? Share it with us in the comments below or on KPCC's Facebook page. And post a photo there as well!