My guess is that if you have any connection to Indiana University, even if you are not a football fan, you know that the Hoosiers are heading to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl, our first appearance since the 1967 season! This is just so huge and makes my Hoosier heart sing; I am so happy for the team, coaches, and all who had a role in making this happen.
There’s plenty of media out there about IU’s season that led to that game on January 1, 1968 (and the disappointing outcome), so I thought I’d dig into some other aspects. In taking a look at our holdings and seeing exactly how much we have from alumni who traveled to California to cheer on their Hoosiers, I landed on looking at the fan experience.
This year, the Indiana University Alumni Association has worked with an agency to develop a Rose Bowl travel package of which Hoosier fans can partake, which includes ground transportation on game day, two night hotel accommodations, a tailgate and guest services (be sure to indicate you want game tickets – those are optional!).
In 1967, they put together a similar package for members of the IUAA, Varsity Club, faculty and staff, and their families. With the package, guests received a 5 night stay, tickets for the parade, game tickets, a New Year’s Eve party, dinner with the team, coaches and “Rose Bowl Tournament Celebrities” and quite a bit more – all for $325! (If, like me, your jaw drops at the price — the Historical Currency Conversion tool tells me that is equivalent to almost $3200 today. So.) Air or rail could be added for additional fees. There were similar packages developed by other groups.
So what about students? We know students were there, how did they manage that?
The university arranged tours for students, as well, and the November 29, 1967 Indiana Daily Student reported that on the first day reservations opened, more than 700 students paid the $50 deposit. On this university-sponsored tour, there were optional side trips to Disneyland and shuttle buses to other points of interest. Students were required to sign a liability form but a doctor from Bloomington and additional medical staff would be available to students at all times. “A financial aid service will be established at the hotels and a lawyer will be available. [IU] Rose Bowl committee members will staff information desks at each hotel.” (IDS, 1967 Nov 29, p.1) It does sound like the university worked to ensure students were taken care of during their trip, and Dr. Herbert Smith, director of Student Activities, was sure to tell the IDS that this was the only authorized and sponsored tour by the University. (Remember: required liability form.) There were undoubtedly individuals planning their own cross-country treks with friends and IU student body president Guy Loftman submitted a bill to student government to provide an at-cost bus service for students, faculty and staff called “The Student Government Rose Bowl Bus Service.” Tickets could be purchased for $89; the bill passed.
The Muncie Evening Press reported more than 50 “planeloads were needed to move the migrating Hoosier rooters.” And many of them ran into weather problems, including a blanket of fog that closed the LA airport, forcing some Hoosiers to land in Las Vegas and take a bus for the last leg of their trip.
Unfortunately, the Hoosiers were not successful in their first ever bowl game, losing 14-3 to the No. 1 ranked Southern California (with their future Heisman Trophy winner O.J. Simpson).
As I mentioned, we’ve had several alums pass along their Rose Bowl-related materials to us over the years. One of these includes Bonnie Williams Dodyk (BA 1970), who has shared so much of what she created and collected while she was at IU Bloomington. Within the three scrapbooks Dodyk has donated is one that documents her California expedition to cheer on the football team. When she returned, she lovingly pasted tickets, Disney brochures and more into her scrapbook and then sat down to share the story of her experience with the Muncie Evening Press. As a student growing up in Muncie (and whose father worked for the Press), she frequently appeared in the pages of the local papers, sharing the student perspective on special events. Rather than my retelling, below I share an excerpt of her article!
—————————————————–
It took three hours to drive to Indianapolis Weir Cook airport in the snow. Within the next three hours we were in sunny southern California.
But air travel wasn’t the only way Indiana University students got to Pasadena, Calif. for the Rose Bowl game. Comprising the largest mass movement westward since the Wild West opened up, IU students invaded airports, train and bus stations and the highways.
Boarding the IU-sponsored plane, all were given a rose, the first of many soon to be seen. But at 4:45 a.m., who thinks of roses, just sleep.
After an endless bus ride from the airport, students were assigned room at the hotel…all the four floors of one hotel completely surrounding the swimming pools. Thursday, for those who arrived early, was a day mainly for rest, but, of course, when on vacation, go, go, go is the motto, so some shopped downtown, took shuttle buses to the beach, or swam at the hotel pool.
Bonnie then shares stories of several sightseeing trips, including Disneyland, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, MGM studios and Universal City Studios, where she was able to secure the autograph of Bob Hastings (“McHale’s Navy”) — included in her scrapbook, of course!
New Year’s Eve, the IU-sponsored tour provided a party, but many students decided to welcome the Indiana New Year at 9 Pacific time, elsewhere.
New Year’s Day began early. Parade buses had to be boarded at 6:30 a.m. The parade was beautiful. Then it was back to the buses, to a box lunch and on to the game, The Rose Bowl held 102,000. Screams of IU fans made it seem like all were for us. If the school song was sung once, it was sung 25 times, every time the Hoosiers made a first down. Both defense teams performed really well, but IU’s feelings for the USC offense were exemplified by one sign, ‘Squeeze O.J.’
Besides crying, the last night was spent packing, cleaning rooms, walking beaches. Some left the next day. Some were stranded in Denver and Chicago, but some got to Indianapolis and on to Bloomington.
Indiana University will go back again, though. Under this year’s buttons, which read, ‘Meet in Pasadena’ [some students have] added another line – ‘In 1970!’
Well, it’s taken nearly 60 years for the Hoosiers to make their return to Rose Bowl Stadium, but we’re sending lots of Hoosier (like really, Hoosier. Hoosier the Bison) love and luck with them!
