Rose Bowl Hall of Fame
2008 Inductee
Virgil Lubberden's connection to the Rose Bowl goes back 46 years while he was employed by the University of Southern California, ultimately retiring as an Associate Athletic Director in charge of the department's financial matters. The overall management of the Rose Bowl Game, including all the preparations necessary for the appearance of the teams and the comfort and convenience of the fans, fell to Lubberden beginning in 1963 when the Game Manager position alternated between USC and UCLA. To establish continuity in the game's management, the Tournament of Roses asked Lubberden to serve as the first permanent Game Manager in 1972 serving in that capacity until his retirement in 1985.
During his 22 year tenure, Lubberden worked with all aspects of the game, its broadcast and its participants. Lubberden was instrumental in fashioning the organization and many of the personnel that currently manage the game. A graduate of USC in 1949, Lubberden served in the 44th Infantry Division as a rifleman in World War II. Lubberden passed away in 2016.
