Dec. 7, 2009

PASADENA, Calif. - Rose Bowl Game legends Barry Alvarez, Tom Hansen and John Hicks headline the 2009 Rose Bowl Hall of Fame class to be installed at the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony presented by Citi hosted by the Pasadena Quarterbacks at noon on Dec. 30, 2009, in the Mediterranean Room at Brookside Golf Club. The Hall of Fame was established in 1989 to honor members of the Rose Bowl Game family who have contributed to the history and excitement of the game, and those who embody the best of the passion, strength, tradition and honor associated with "The Granddaddy of Them All."

Over the past 20 years, a total of 95 inductees have been added to the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame. These special individuals are honored by a permanent plaque with the name and year of induction at The Court of Champions at the Rose Bowl Stadium.

Current Wisconsin Athletic Director Barry Alvarez began his career with the Badgers as head football coach in 1990 and spent 16 seasons building a nationally well-respected program before retiring in 2005 to his current post. Alvarez is the winningest coach in Wisconsin football history, the only Big Ten coach to win Rose Bowl Games in back-to-back years (1999, 2000) and joins Ohio State's Woody Hayes as the only Big Ten coach with at least three Rose Bowl Game wins.

He finished his career with 118 coaching wins, a Wisconsin record, an 8-3 mark in 11 career bowl games and garnered the 1993 National Coach of the Year and two Big Ten Coach of the Year awards. Alvarez and his wife, Cindy, are actively involved in their community. They were co-campaign chairs in the effort to bring Gilda's Club, a free support center for families dealing with cancer, to Madison that opened in 2008. Alvarez also serves on the Board of Directors of the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer Fund.

For 26 years, Tom Hansen served as commissioner of the Pac-10 Conference, the longest term ever held in the Football Bowl Subdivision. During his tenure, the Pac-10 won 204 NCAA championships, putting them ahead of any other conference by a wide margin. Hansen also helped develop the inauguration of the Pac-10 women's sports programs, expanded the conference football and basketball television programs and played a prominent role in the development of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS).

Prior to, and especially since the inception of the BCS, Hansen has been very forthright about his position and support of the college football bowl system, specifically the Rose Bowl Game. He was actively involved with the Rose Bowl Game for six years when he served as the conference's Director of Public Relations from 1960-67. With the Pac-10 a partner in the oldest intercollegiate post-season bowl agreement between two major conferences in the United States, he's played an integral role in maintaining the exclusive partnership with the Tournament of Roses Association, the Big Ten Conference and the Pac-10 Conference, which dates back to 1946.

The Ohio State University's celebrated offensive tackle John Hicks pioneered an exclusive group of players as the first to start in three consecutive Rose Bowl Games (1971, 1973 and 1974). The 1973 Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy winner, was also runner-up in votes for the Heisman Trophy in 1973. During his career, the Buckeyes were three-time Big Ten champions with a 28-3-1 record. The consensus All-America as a junior and senior is an inductee of the College Football Hall of Fame and The Ohio State University Athletics Hall of Fame.

After college, Hicks was a first-round draft pick of the New York Giants and garnered the NFC Rookie of the Year accolade. He played five seasons in the National Football League before an injury ended his career. Hicks is the CEO of The John Hicks Company, a commercial real estate firm in Columbus, and is a supporter of a number of community efforts. He is actively involved with Central Ohio Diabetes Association, Ohio State Athletics, the Greater Columbus Sports Commission and the Boys and Girls Club of Central Ohio.

Following the Induction Ceremony Luncheon and the Hall of Fame Kickoff Luncheon, the three inductees will be honored at the 96th Rose Bowl Game presented by Citi at 2:10 p.m. PST (5:10 p.m. EST) on Jan. 1, 2010, at the historic Rose Bowl Stadium.

-- # # # --

About the Pasadena Tournament of Roses® The Pasadena Tournament of Roses is a volunteer organization that annually hosts the Rose Parade® and Rose Bowl Game® presented by Citi. The 121st Rose Parade themed 2010: A Cut Above the Rest will take place Friday, Jan. 1, 2010, at 8 a.m. (PST) featuring majestic floral floats, high-stepping equestrian units and spirited marching bands. Following the Rose Parade, the 96th Rose Bowl Game presented by Citi will kick off at 2:10 p.m. and feature an exciting match-up between two of the top teams in the country.

On January 7, the Tournament of Roses will also host the No. 1 and No. 2 BCS-ranked teams in the 2010 Citi BCS National Championship Game. The Game will kick off at 5 p.m. (PST) from the historic Rose Bowl Stadium. For additional information on the Tournament of Roses please visit the official website at www.tournamentofroses.com.