CHAMPAIGN, IL – University of Illinois alumni and National Football League founder George Halas today was named to the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame, 100 seasons after earning MVP honors in the 1919 Rose Bowl victory.
After helping Illinois to football, basketball and baseball championships during his Illini career, George Halas enlisted for service in World War I at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station in January, 1918, and expected to be sent into battle against the German navy. As the war was starting to wind down, Halas was instead assigned to become Great Lakes' recreation officer and a member of the base's 1918 football team. After helping Great Lakes' football team to six regular season victories and two ties, and with the Great War coming to an end in mid-December, the team was invited to play in the 5th Rose Bowl game against Mare Island Marines on Jan. 1, 1919.
In the 17-0 Great Lakes victory, Halas scored on a 32-yard touchdown pass and also set a Rose Bowl record for longest-non-scoring pass interception return of 77 yards.
The Rose Bowl 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 Rose Bowl Game and those who embody the best of the passion, strength, tradition and honor associated with The Granddaddy of Them All.
Other Illinois alumni who are members of the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame include players Dick Butkus, Jim Grabowski, Claude "Buddy" Young and Bill Tate, along with former television executive Dennis Swanson.
Halas, who was awarded a degree in civil engineering at Illinois in 1918, is considered a co-founder of the National Football League in 1920 and served as team owner of the Chicago Bears until his death in 1983. In 40 years as head coach of the Bears, he compiled a record of 318-148-31 and won six NFL championships. He is a charter member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The George Halas Trophy is awarded by the NFL to the National Football Conference champion and the Pro Football Hall of Fame is located on George Halas Drive.
