The Tournament of Roses has inducted former Wisconsin running back Montee Ball and former Oklahoma head football coach Bob Stoops into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame as the Class of 2025.
      They were honored Jan. 1 in the 137th Rose Parade and on the field during the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Game between Indiana and Alabama They were also recognized in a private ceremony held by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses on December 30.
      The Rose Bowl Hall of Fame was established in 1989 to pay tribute to individuals who have contributed to the history and excitement of the Rose Bowl game, and those who embody the highest level of passion, strength, tradition, and honor associated with ‘The Granddaddy of Them All.’
      Bob Stoops retired as Oklahoma’s all-time winningest coach and the only coach in college football history to win a national championship and all four BCS bowl games, including the 2003 Rose Bowl game when he led the Sooners to victory over Washington State, 34-14.
      Stoops is also one of just 11 people to have played in and served as the head coach of a team playing in the Rose Bowl. He played in the 1982 Rose Bowl as a member of the Iowa Hawkeyes. Stoops was a defensive back and team captain for Iowa, but the Hawkeyes fell to Washington, 28-0.
      As a coach, Stoops was a two-time national coach of the year, six-time Big 12 coach of the year and led Oklahoma to ten Big 12 titles and 18 consecutive bowl appearances. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2021.
      Ball graduated from Wisconsin as the NCAA’s all-time leader in touchdowns scored and is the only player to rush for 100 yards in three Rose Bowl games. Ball led the Badgers to three consecutive appearances in 2011, 2012 and 2013. titles and 18 consecutive bowl appearances. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2021.
      With the addition of this year’s class, the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame includes 148 inductees over its 37-year history. Inductees are honored with a permanent plaque that includes their name and year of induction at The Court of Champions at the Rose Bowl Stadium, forever cementing their legacy with the of The Granddaddy of Them All.
      Stoops is one of six children born to Ron Sr. and Evelyn ‘Dee Dee’ Stoops. He is a 1978 graduate of Cardinal Mooney High School, where his father was the long-time defensive coordinator for the Cardinals football team. Bob and his three brothers (Ron Jr., Mike and Mark) were all coached by Ron Sr. at Mooney.
      While at Iowa, Stoops was a four-year starter, and one-time All-Big Ten selection at defensive back with the Hawkeyes. He was named team MVP in 1982.
     
      PICTURED: photo/John A. Darnell jr.
       LEGENDS OF CARDINAL MOONEY FOOTBALL: Pictured from left to right, Don Bucci, P.J. Fecko and Bob Stoops. Bucci notched 284 wins as head coach of the Cards, including four state championships in 34 years at the helm. Fecko led the Cards to four state titles and 189 wins in 20 years at the helm. Stoops, who played under Bucci, later became head coach for the Oklahoma Sooners, leading them to a national title in 2000. Stoops had a coaching record of 191 wins and 48 losses during his tenure as the head coach of the Sooners from 1999 to 2016.