Mickey Mouse Greets Coaches and Players Preparing for the Jan. 1 Rose Bowl Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration Will Come to Life in Rose Parade

ANAHEIM, Calif., Dec. 26, 2015 – No. 5 Iowa and No. 6 Stanford have won berths in the 2016 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual in Pasadena, and with that comes a visit to the Disneyland Resort, which is celebrating its 60^th anniversary Diamond Celebration.The football teams will play in the 102^nd Rose Bowl Game on Friday, January 1, 2016.  But first they will meet off the field for their first official pre-game appearance, at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 26, in a ceremony at Disney California Adventure Park, in Anaheim, Calif. The Stanford Cardinal are the Pac-12 Conference Champions, and the Iowa Hawkeyes are the Big Ten West Division Champions.

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz, Stanford head coach David Shaw and members of both teams are scheduled to appear in a ceremony with Disneyland Resort President Michael Colglazier and Mickey Mouse.  Among the Iowa players expected to appear are offensive lineman Austin Blythe, running back Jordan Canzeri, defensive back Jordan Lomax, defensive back Greg Mabin and wide receiver Tevaun Smith.  Featured Stanford players scheduled for the ceremony are quarterback Kevin Hogan, cornerback Ronnie Harris, inside linebacker Blake Martinez, offensive guard Joshua Garnett and running back Christian McCaffrey.

Following the ceremony, each team will enjoy opportunities to experience popular Disney California Adventure attractions, including Radiator Springs Racers in Cars Land and California Screamin’ at Paradise Pier.

For Stanford, this will be the third time in four years and the 15th appearance all-time in the Rose Bowl Game.  The Cardinal also makes history for being the Pac-12 champion during the 100-year anniversary of the conference.  Iowa will make its sixth appearance overall in the Rose Bowl Game, and the first since 1991. The two teams have never met in a football game in the schools’ history.

60^th Anniversary Diamond Celebration Float in Rose Parade

The teams are visiting the Disneyland Resort during its 60^th anniversary Diamond Celebration, which features nighttime spectaculars “Paint the Night” parade, “Disneyland Forever” fireworks and “World of Color – Celebrate!’  On Jan. 1, 2016, the magic of the Diamond Celebration also will come to life as a float in the 127^th Rose Parade, broadcast live from Pasadena. The parade theme is “Find Your Adventure,” and the Disneyland Resort float honors some of the most exciting adventures at the Happiest Place on Earth. Guests will continue to enjoy the dazzling adventures of the Diamond Celebration through Sept. 5, 2016.