For this edition of Wayback Wednesday, we’re taking a trip to the holiday guide of 1995, when purple pride boomed as Northwestern football found out it was headed to the 1996 Rose Bowl.
“Purple to Pasadena,” the big block-lettered cover read, alongside images of celebrating students. When The Daily published its Holiday Guide on Nov. 28, 1995, a 6-page Rose Bowl guide preceded it. Wildcats fans had much to look forward to that holiday season.
Held in Pasadena, California, the Rose Bowl traditionally hosted the conference champions of the Big Ten and now-defunct Pac-12 since 1947. Nicknamed the “Granddaddy of Them All,” it’s the oldest college football bowl game, and the most attended one, with around 100,000 fans typically showing out. In recent years, the Rose Bowl has been a semifinal matchup in the College Football Playoff.
1995 was a dream season for NU as head coach Gary Barnett led the ’Cats to a 10-1 regular season, its only loss an upset to Miami (Ohio). Running back Darnell Autry graced the cover of Sports Illustrated as the team won the Big Ten conference for the first time in nearly 60 years.
The excitement around the Rose Bowl started on Nov. 25, 1995, when Michigan played Ohio State in 1995’s iteration of “The Game.” NU fans held their breath as its postseason fate was decided in Ann Arbor. With a win by the Wolverines, the ’Cats would secure the Big Ten conference championship and earn a spot in the Rose Bowl.
Fans gathered in anticipation to watch the contest at old Evanston sports bars, such as The Huddle and The Keg. Going into the game, the Buckeyes were 11-0 and nine-point favorites. But Michigan running back Tim Biakabutuka rambled for 313 yards and a touchdown, powering the Wolverines to victory. In the last minute of the game, cornerback Charles Woodson intercepted a pass, securing Michigan’s win and NU’s ticket to Pasadena.
From then on, “Purple to Pasadena” wasn’t a far-fetched fantasy — it was real.
Excitement buzzed around the University’s campus. The bookstore added four phone lines to process the more than 1,500 merchandise orders they received in the three days following the game. At the same time, the Norris Information Desk reported receiving over 5,700 messages inquiring about tickets. A local florist, Saville Flowers, sold all 100 of its long-stem roses within 30 minutes of Michigan’s win going final. It proceeded to order 400 more to support the demand.
The Rose Bowl guide that was published in 1995 also included information for students looking to attend the game. Season ticket holders got first dibs on tickets. The remaining tickets were released for other students for $80 each. NU was allotted 21,904 of the tickets to sell themselves from the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association.
Special travel packages, including airfare and accommodations, were also advertised for students. A group of four could purchase a shared hotel room in this package at Norris for $879 a person.
While the ’Cats geared up at their Hollywood boot camp, their marching band also had a lot to prepare for. They played in Disneyland for a Rose Bowl parade over the holidays and practiced for eight to 10 hours daily during the week ahead of the game.
It was a close matchup. The ’Cats fell 41-32 to USC. However, the spirit and still unbelievable record — undefeated in the Big 10 — keep the overwhelming memories from the 1995 season alive.
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