Rose bowl offers families quality time

At the Rose Bowl, some students will trade the camaraderie of cheering with fellow students for a little quality time with their families.

For Michigan's Jan. 1 Rose Bowl appearance, many are going the distance to cheer on the Wolverines - arm-in-arm with their parents and siblings.

"The reason is mainly because it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience," said Engineering senior Matt Innes. "It's not so often you get this chance."

Innes and his two brothers, Engineering senior Scott Innes and Engineering first-year student David Innes, will watch the Michigan Wolverines and Washington State Cougars compete for bragging rights on New Year's Day.

Ironically, the Innes' mother won a ticket to the Rose Bowl when she was in college. Matt Innes said his mother is excited that her sons are attending the game.

"She was excited about us going as a family," Matt Innes said. "She said we're going to really enjoy ourselves."

Innes said his mother wants to go, but will not attend because of the high expense.

LSA first-year student John Moon is looking forward to attending the Tournament of Roses Parade with his parents.

"I'm so excited that we're going to the Rose Bowl while I'm still a student here," Moon said. "This is my only opportunity to see something like this."

Moon's mother shares her son's excitement.

"To see the Michigan Wolverines fight for the national championship title will really be something to remember," said the mother.

LSA sophomore Alicia Knowles also will attend the Rose Bowl with her family.

"I think it's really important for our team to have as much support as possible in Pasadena," she said.

"And we're just so happy about our season and about making it so far that we have to go," Knowles said.

Knowles will travel to the game with her mother, father and younger brother.

The Alumni Association offers Rose Bowl family packages for families interested in being a part of Rose Bowl history.

The Innes brothers, for example, bought student packages last Friday from the Alumni Association. The package includes ground transportation, grandstand seats for the Tournament of Roses Parade, a pre-game tailgate lunch buffet and game tickets.

Ed Roche, who sells the Alumni Association's Rose Bowl package, said that although he cannot approximate the number of family packages sold, many fans travel with their families.

Roche estimated that about 2,000 student ticket buyers will be attending the game with their families.

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