I will be visiting the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2010 and staying in California until January 9th.
Please check back after January 27th for a recap on the whole experience!
Thanks for visiting!
Please check back after January 27th for a recap on the whole experience!
Thanks for visiting!
Why the Rose Bowl?
So as I began this college football pursuit, I knew there was only 1 meaningful way to end the whole pursuit. That would be to attend the Rose Bowl, and luckily the Big 10 champion gets awarded a berth in the Rose Bowl, so it was a perfect fit.
But let's dig in more: why this bowl?
Let us start by taking a look at some of the other bowl games. With the Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl, and Fiesta Bowls, tickets can easily be had for under $50.00. I even understand that there are tickets selling for less than $10.00 for the Orange and Sugar Bowls. The face value of a Rose Bowl ticket is $145.00 and current web prices are selling for far beyond $250.00. Not to be overlooked is the fact that the Rose Bowl has more of a supply than any other bowl game with greater seating capacity. So the simple fact that Rose Bowl tickets are selling for 5 times as much as any other bowl game can make anyone understand it's importance.
But let's forget about just spending a few dollars for a ticket and focus on why the ROSE BOWL is the best bowl game you'll ever attend:
1) It is known as "The Granddaddy of Them All." With a nickname like that, you can't go wrong. It was the first ever bowl game. It was first played in 1902. Source
2) It holds the record for highest attendance at a bowl game. In 1973, a record 106,869 saw USC and Ohio State play. Source
3) It was the first college football game broadcast in color in 1962. Source
4) Playing in the Rose Bowl, there have been 18 Heisman Trophy winners, 28 National Championship Teams, & 197 Consensus All-Americans. Source
5) The parade prior to the game is seen by approximately 40 million Americans on television every year. Source
6) Since 1947, every Rose Bowl game has been a sellout. Source
7) It holds the record for a NFL Superbowl at 103,985. This game was played in 1980 and featured the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Los Angeles Rams (Superbowl XIV). It has hosted 5 NFL Superbowl games. Source
Why am I personally so drawn to the Rose Bowl?
Let's start with weather. Ford Field is a beautiful facility to see the Little Cesaer's Pizza Bowl, but come on, I'm exposed to miserable Midwest weather for 9 months a year. I wanted to go somewhere warm where I could get away from the cold and the snow. I'm looking for warm weather, sunshine, and a lack of rainfall and humidity.
Next I wanted a place with some good smoking bans. I wanted to go somewhere that would allow me to have a drink and I wouldn't have to stink of cigarette smoke. While many places have moved forward and rid themselves of smoking in public places, Texas and Louisana have not.
What's more important than company? Prior to the season, I stated that Oregon was the Pac-10 team that I most wanted to see in the Rose Bowl as one of my friends attends the school in Eugene, OR. He will now be attending the game with me. Some of my best friends reside in San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, so this presents a great opportunity to visit them.
Entertainment. Florida has hoards of tourists, fan-boat rides, a bunch of beachs, and a bunch of clubs. Arizona has some sand, and New Orleans has Bourbon street, but California is loaded with scenery and attractions that you won't see anywhere else in this great country.
Growing up, I had not heard and today
But let's dig in more: why this bowl?
Let us start by taking a look at some of the other bowl games. With the Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl, and Fiesta Bowls, tickets can easily be had for under $50.00. I even understand that there are tickets selling for less than $10.00 for the Orange and Sugar Bowls. The face value of a Rose Bowl ticket is $145.00 and current web prices are selling for far beyond $250.00. Not to be overlooked is the fact that the Rose Bowl has more of a supply than any other bowl game with greater seating capacity. So the simple fact that Rose Bowl tickets are selling for 5 times as much as any other bowl game can make anyone understand it's importance.
But let's forget about just spending a few dollars for a ticket and focus on why the ROSE BOWL is the best bowl game you'll ever attend:
1) It is known as "The Granddaddy of Them All." With a nickname like that, you can't go wrong. It was the first ever bowl game. It was first played in 1902. Source
2) It holds the record for highest attendance at a bowl game. In 1973, a record 106,869 saw USC and Ohio State play. Source
3) It was the first college football game broadcast in color in 1962. Source
4) Playing in the Rose Bowl, there have been 18 Heisman Trophy winners, 28 National Championship Teams, & 197 Consensus All-Americans. Source
5) The parade prior to the game is seen by approximately 40 million Americans on television every year. Source
6) Since 1947, every Rose Bowl game has been a sellout. Source
7) It holds the record for a NFL Superbowl at 103,985. This game was played in 1980 and featured the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Los Angeles Rams (Superbowl XIV). It has hosted 5 NFL Superbowl games. Source
Why am I personally so drawn to the Rose Bowl?
Let's start with weather. Ford Field is a beautiful facility to see the Little Cesaer's Pizza Bowl, but come on, I'm exposed to miserable Midwest weather for 9 months a year. I wanted to go somewhere warm where I could get away from the cold and the snow. I'm looking for warm weather, sunshine, and a lack of rainfall and humidity.
Next I wanted a place with some good smoking bans. I wanted to go somewhere that would allow me to have a drink and I wouldn't have to stink of cigarette smoke. While many places have moved forward and rid themselves of smoking in public places, Texas and Louisana have not.
What's more important than company? Prior to the season, I stated that Oregon was the Pac-10 team that I most wanted to see in the Rose Bowl as one of my friends attends the school in Eugene, OR. He will now be attending the game with me. Some of my best friends reside in San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, so this presents a great opportunity to visit them.
Entertainment. Florida has hoards of tourists, fan-boat rides, a bunch of beachs, and a bunch of clubs. Arizona has some sand, and New Orleans has Bourbon street, but California is loaded with scenery and attractions that you won't see anywhere else in this great country.
Growing up, I had not heard and today
Day 1 - Milwaukee to LAX
The first day will definitely be the most nerve-racking one as I'll be traveling from Milwaukee to Los Angeles. Anytime you leave the Milwaukee airport, you have to be a bit nervous as the weather could cancel/delay/irritate your flight capabilities.
Day 2 - Long Beach/Santa Monica
It's New Year's Eve! This year, I'm not watching the festivities on tv, I'm participating. For this year's "New Year/No Limits," Travis Pastrana will be jumping a rally car off of a pier in Long Beach, sailing over the ocean 200 feet onto a barge!
Day 3 - The Rose Bowl
Yeah, this is what it's all about.
Day 4 - More Hollywood
Take a few photos of the stars, the tar pits, maybe a Lakers game.
Day 5 - San Diego
It's right down the street after all...
Day 6 - Pacific Coastal Highway
Time to see the beauty of the Pacific Ocean...
Day 7 - San Francisco
Golden Gate bridge, redwood trees, Alcatraz Island, and more!
Day 8 - Home. Complete. What's Next?
Hopefully everything will work out for the best and I will return home to Milwaukee safely. Another thrilling adventure will be in the books. At this time I'll start uploading photos and providing a recap on the entire trip. I'd love to hear continued feedback from all of you and hope you'll follow along on my next adventure.
Until I decide what that next adventure is, I'll be planning a weekend at the NBA All-Star game in Dallas Texas which could be the largest crowd of all-time for an NBA game as it takes place in the Cowboys new stadium.
Until I decide what that next adventure is, I'll be planning a weekend at the NBA All-Star game in Dallas Texas which could be the largest crowd of all-time for an NBA game as it takes place in the Cowboys new stadium.
Shirt of the Game
why? You'll find out on 1/18
Fans of the Game
why? You'll find out on 1/18
Current Rose Bowl Tab
Airfare: Milwaukee to Los Angeles: $247.00
Airfare: San Francisco to Milwaukee: $101.00
Two Face Value Rose Bowl Tickets: $290.00
Ticket Shipping Fee: $20.00
$40.00 Parking Pass: Free
Rental Car: $313.00
Total: $971.00
Airfare: San Francisco to Milwaukee: $101.00
Two Face Value Rose Bowl Tickets: $290.00
Ticket Shipping Fee: $20.00
$40.00 Parking Pass: Free
Rental Car: $313.00
Total: $971.00
Thank You Thank You Thank You
Hall, Rusty & Liz - hosting us in Carlsbad, CA for 3 nights
Lawrence, Dan - ride to the airport
McCormick, Josh - for continued friendship and helping to make this experience happen
Smith, Craig & Erin - hosting us in the Bay Area for 3 nights
Lawrence, Dan - ride to the airport
McCormick, Josh - for continued friendship and helping to make this experience happen
Smith, Craig & Erin - hosting us in the Bay Area for 3 nights
To Return to the Big 10 Tour Main Page, click HERE or use any of the links on the left side of the page!
