- The San Francisco call. (San Francisco, CA), Jan. 2 1902. https://www.loc.gov/item/sn85066387/1902-01-02/ed-1/.
The tradition of college football bowl games is a significant part of American culture. Understanding its history helps students appreciate the cultural and social impact of sport in the country. The evolution of bowl games reflects broader historical trends, including changes in society, economics, and technology. For example, the Rose Bowl, the oldest operating bowl game, has been played annually since 1916 and provides insights into early twentieth-century America.
Also, bowl games have substantial economic implications for universities, host cities, and the sport industry. Teaching about these aspects can help students understand the economic dimensions of sport and their influence on local and national economies. Therefore, analyzing the history of bowl games can enhance students' skills in research, critical thinking, and analysis. Finally, the history of college football bowl games also touches on important social issues, such as racial integration and gender equality. Discussing these topics can foster deeper understanding of social justice and the progress made over time.
The San Francisco Call reported on this inaugural game, highlighting the overwhelming victory by Michigan. The Wolverines' performance was so dominant that the game ended eight minutes early. The news spread also includes images.
- The first Tournament of Roses football game, which was the first postseason football game in the nation, was staged at Tournament Park on January 1, 1902. The game matched Stanford University against the University of Michigan. Michigan routed Stanford 49-0, prompting the football contest to be replaced with Roman-style chariot races inspired by the literary classic Ben-Hur in the following years. Football was permanently reinstated as part of the tournament’s traditions in 1916.
- “This collegiate classic has been the occasion of many firsts. The Rose Bowl Game was the occasion of [the] first local radio broadcast of an East-West bowl game in 1926, the first transcontinental radio broadcast of a sporting event in 1927, the first local telecast of a college football game in 1948, the first national telecast of a college football game in 1952 and the first coast-to-coast color telecast of a collegiate football game in 1962” (“History of the Rose Bowl Game”).
- In what ways has football become a significant American tradition, and what cultural values does it reflect?
- How do American symbols such as the flag, the bald eagle, and the Statue of Liberty reflect the values and ideals of the United States?
- How does the history of the Rose Bowl reflect broader societal changes and trends in American culture?
Common Core State Standards
9-10.7 Analyze various accounts of a subject told in different mediums (e.g., a person's life story in both print and multimedia), determining which details are emphasized in each account.
- Students can read a historical newspaper article such as the one from the San Francisco Call reporting on the first Rose Bowl. This account emphasizes the factual details of the game, such as the score, key players, and the significance of the event. Students can also look to other sources during their research.
9-10.3 Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening.
- Students will examine how the language used in the newspaper article differs from that used in other sources. Students will discuss why the authors of each source chose specific words or phrases. For instance, one newspaper might use terms such as "dominated" and "overwhelming victory" to convey the one-sided nature of the game, while others might use more emotive language to engage viewers. By understanding these differences, students can better appreciate how language choices affect the presentation and reception of information. This work helps them become more critical readers and listeners, able to discern the purpose and impact of different language styles. Further, they will be able to apply this understanding to their own reflections and creations.
- Students can use this Library of Congress blog post to investigate the details of the first college bowl game. As a way to plan an engaging research lesson, consider setting up a scavenger hunt using the blog.
- After building background knowledge and performing research, students can discuss how the Rose Bowl has become an American tradition.
- Watch this Ted Talk about flag design, then discuss how the elements of design can be applied to any symbol.
- Have students work individually or in small groups to create a flag for the Rose Bowl. Students will think critically about the elements of a symbol and the components of their research that they believe translate best to create the perfect flag for the occasion.
- Students can then explain their flag design, either in a written essay or by presenting it to the class.
- Some may believe that sport can distract students from their academic pursuits. They might worry that the time and energy spent on sport-related activities could detract from studying and completing assignments that may more directly align with the core objectives of an ELA curriculum, such as reading comprehension, writing skills, and literary analysis. Further, there could be a perception that sport-themed lessons are less rigorous or serious compared with lessons involving traditional literary topics, potentially undermining the academic rigor of the classroom.
Links to resources for approaching those topics
- However, there is a heightened level of rigor and engagement that comes from incorporating sport into the curriculum.
- Photograph of the Stanford Band marching at the 124th Rose Parade
- Photograph of the prize float from the 1906 Tournament of Roses
- Video footage of the 1939 Rose Bowl game
- 1930s photograph of the Rose Bowl stadium
- The International Olympic Committee has entire books and additional resources to connect teaching elements to different sports. The Olympic Museum also has an interactive Olympic Game for students.
- The Oxford University Press blog features ways to engage English language learners (ELL students) by meeting them on shared ground with experiences from their native culture: using game reports to help ELLs with grammar and sentence fluency.
- USA Today published an article on the Rose Bowl’s history.
- This blog post on the history of the Tournament of Roses can be found, along with other primary sources, on the Library of Congress website.