(L-R) Montee Ball and Bob Stoops (Photos – Jeffrey Beall, John Silks)
The Tournament of Roses announced that former Wisconsin running back Montee Ball and former Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops will be inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame as members of the Class of 2025.
By News Desk
Both inductees will be formally honored during the 137th Rose Parade presented by Honda and again on the field during the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential on January 1, 2026. A private induction ceremony hosted by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses will take place on December 30.
Established in 1989, the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame celebrates individuals who have significantly contributed to the history and tradition of the Rose Bowl Game, known as The Granddaddy of Them All. With this year’s additions, the Hall now includes 148 inductees over its 37-year history.
Ball, a standout at Wisconsin, remains the NCAA’s all-time leader in touchdowns and is the only player to rush for 100 yards in three separate Rose Bowl Games. He played in the 2011, 2012, and 2013 editions, with standout performances against TCU, Oregon, and Stanford. Ball was named to the Rose Bowl Game All-Century Class for the 2010s and went on to play in the NFL with the Denver Broncos. He was inducted into the Wisconsin Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2025.
Stoops, who retired in 2017 as Oklahoma’s all-time winningest coach, is the only coach in college football history to win a national title and all four BCS bowl games. He led the Sooners to a 2003 Rose Bowl victory over Washington State and also played in the 1982 Rose Bowl as a defensive back for Iowa. A two-time national coach of the year and six-time Big 12 coach of the year, Stoops guided Oklahoma to 10 Big 12 titles and 18 straight bowl appearances. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2021.
Each inductee will receive a permanent plaque at The Court of Champions at the Rose Bowl Stadium, ensuring their legacy remains a part of college football’s most storied tradition.
Leave a Reply