Kick off a historical moment! On New Year’s Day, 1902, the very first Rose Bowl game was played in Pasadena, California, as part of the Tournament of Roses festivities. This landmark event launched a beloved tradition, uniting sports fans every year. Organized to boost tourism, the event featured a showdown between the University of Michigan and Stanford University.

Key Facts:

• Michigan triumphed with a staggering 49-0 victory over Stanford.
• The Rose Bowl initially replaced a chariot race but soon became a football tradition, resuming annually in 1916.
• The game was held at Tournament Park, which led to the construction of the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium in 1922.
• The first game was so one-sided that organizers temporarily switched to other events before football was reinstated as the main attraction.
• The game’s “Rose Bowl” name was later passed down to a stadium resembling a large bowl surrounded by rose gardens. It was quite a fitting name.
• In later years, players received unique gifts, including commemorative watches, jewelry, and even TVs, as part of the bowl experience.
• About 8,000 spectators attended the inaugural game, which was a huge number for its time.
• It would take 14 years before the game was reinstated.