Rose Bowl Crowd of About 91,000 Is Expected, Smallest in 38 Years

The Rose Bowl game seems headed for its lowest attendance in 38 years.

A crowd of about 91,000 is expected for today’s game between Michigan and Washington, which would make it the smallest since 1955, when 89,191 saw Ohio State defeat USC, 28-7.

According to Jack French, executive director of the Tournament of Roses Assn., there is one major reason for problems getting all 101,366 tickets sold.

“We believe it’s due to the economy,” French said. “If you take Michigan and Washington and Southern California, those are three places still with economic problems.

“We believe the discretionary dollars just aren’t there,” he said.

With a surplus of tickets, the Rose Bowl gave away about 2,500 to families of American servicemen in Somalia and 2,500 to charity.

However, official Rose Bowl attendance is based on tickets sold, not the number of persons in the stadium.

French pointed out that even with a crowd of slightly more than 90,000, the Rose Bowl game will outdraw any other college bowl game.

Even so, the situation is a source of some concern for Rose Bowl officials, French said.

“It’s not a crisis,” he said. “It’s very unusual, though. I’m hoping this is an aberration. I don’t think it’s a trend. But come back next year and I’ll tell you if it is.”