Rose Bowl rivals Wisconsin and Oregon began their Rose Bowl week by visiting Disneyland in Anaheim yesterday. This event traditionally marks the first official joint public appearance of the two Rose Bowl teams, a Disneyland tradition dating back to 1959.
Both teams were welcomed by Mickey Mouse in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle. Following the ceremony, Badgers quarterback Russell Wilson and Ducks tight end David Paulsen led their teams onto the Matterhorn Bobsleds and then took a spin on the Tea Cups. Numerous players and coaches including Badgers safety Aaron Henry and Oregon Coach Chip Kelly enjoyed the 76 degree weather at the happiest place on Earth.
From the AP, via the San Francisco Chronicle:
Yet the Ducks and Badgers have both climbed this Matterhorn before: Wisconsin lost last season’s Rose Bowl to TCU, while Oregon lost two years ago to Ohio State. While the Rose Bowl week is packed with fun, it’s mostly about redemption for these conference champions.
“Last year, guys were thrilled to be here, and maybe a bit overwhelmed, too,” said Henry, the Badgers’ senior leader. “Some guys had never been out of Wisconsin, and then all of a sudden we’re staying in Beverly Hills and going out in Hollywood. Coming back here, the feeling is totally different. We’ll still have fun, but it’s all about business first.”
Oregon is in their third straight BCS game, but failed to win their first two, the 2010 Rose Bowl versus Ohio State and the national title game last year. Wisconsin lost last year’s Rose Bowl 21-19 to TCU.
Ducks all-everything running back Lamichael James took a ride on the very popular Space Mountain. The following image of comes courtesy of Oregon running back Kenjon Barner’s Twitter page, and James is situated on the left in the front car. (h/t to Kegs n Eggs)
That was so good, let’s take another look at that picture of the Space Mountain ride again. With a close-up on James
The 98th Rose Bowl game will be played in Pasadena on Monday, January 2, 2012.
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net, an official Google News site generating millions of unique visitors. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports
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