ROSE BOWL REPORT

Former Washington State football player Ron Kelley will have a seat at the Rose Bowl, even though he’s dead.

Family members decided to purchase a $75 ticket in memory of their father and other long-time Cougar faithful who did not survive the 67-year gap between Rose Bowl appearances for Washington State.

“They will be there in spirit,” said Susan Marker, Kelley’s daughter.

“I thought it would be great if we could buy a seat and have it set aside and dedicated to all those Cougs that couldn’t make it to this game,” Marker said. “I’d like it to be not just for my dad, but for everybody.”

Ron Kelley, a member of the class of 1934, was a freshman on WSU’s football team in 1931. In those days, though, freshmen didn’t play on the varsity squad, so when WSU played Alabama in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day 1931, Kelley stayed in Pullman. He was a season ticket holder for many years and died in 1992.