Rose Bowl Hall of Fame
1994 Inductee
Lathrop K. (Lay) Leishman moved to Pasadena as an infant and was educated at Oregon State University. His father, W.L. Leishman, served as tournament president in 1917 and was one of two co founders of the Rose Bowl stadium.
Leishman served as president of the Tournament of Roses in 1939 and was grand marshal of the New Year’s Day parade in 1979. He also served for many years on the organization’s Football Committee and the Rose Bowl Game Management Committee. He is credited with obtaining the Tournament House headquarters from the Wrigley family half a century ago and was the first non-athlete member elected to the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame. He was also honored in 1975 by the National Football Foundation for his contributions to amateur football.
Among his many awards were The Times’ National Sports Award, the Big Ten Conference Participation Award and the National Collegiate Athletic Assn. special award for community and collegiate service. Leishman passed away in 1995.
