Reader recalls Rose Bowl memories

To the editor:

In 1958 I was 12 years old. My mother decided we should take the train to California to visit her sisters and go to the Rose Bowl game. We did. I remember the Iowa Picnic, the Rose Parade, Disneyland, and getting kicked out of John Derrick's swimming pool at 1:30 a.m. Jan. 1 because the neighbors complained.

The game was a great ending to a great memory. I doubt a 12-year-old would get to roam the Iowa sidelines for most of the fourth quarter today, but I did. I had chin straps from Randy Duncan, Ray Jauch and Bob Jeter. (That's what we collected back then). With my mother's passing and several moves I've lost the chin straps.

Congratulations to the Hawks on a great year, but I'd really like to not be able to say, 'I was at the last Rose Bowl the Hawkeyes won!”

Jim Ruppert

Iowa City