New Rules for Mississippi State's Cowbells

[bondsdw]

SEC MEETINGS NOTEBOOK: New provision gives Mississippi State's cowbell new life | montgomeryadvertiser.com | Montgomery Advertiser

One of the issues covered during the SEC Meetings in Destin was Mississippi State's (illegal) use of cowbells. Noise-makers were supposed to be prohibited, but for a while its been a system of as long as its not visible when you pass through security, you're fine with your cowbell, free to ring it as much as you like during the game. And they certainly do, as I can well attest, having sat in their student section the last two times we played in Starkville. After discussing the issue, it seems a compromise was reached: Mississippi State fans can bring their cowbells and ring them to their hearts' content, but only when active play isn't occurring. They're treating it like music over the loud-speaker. So during stoppages of play, they can ring them, but they cannot before/during a play. I really like the compromise. Because 1) its ridiculous that they were allowed to brazenly defy a rule and ring all those bells. Anyone who says they don't make a difference clearly hasn't been inside the sea of cowbells. but 2) it feels wrong to get rid of the tradition altogether. Little traditions specific to each school like that are what makes college football great.

Like I said, I like the compromise. I think by far the most interesting part will be to see if the fans actually obey the rules. I would think it will be made quite clear that they're being given an olive branch by being allowed to have them and use them, plus the fact that the university will be punished if the rules aren't followed (the punishments haven't been decided yet). Also, the agreement is only in effect for a year (they decide next year if they want to ratify it again), which I think was a wise decision by Slive to see how it works before they make it official. But still, its going to be hard to stop that crowd from ringing their cowbells on third and long, in the fourth quarter, etc. Like I said, it will be pretty interesting to see if the fans behave or not.

Thoughts? Do you like the compromise, or should they be allowed without restriction or completely banned?

Oh, and go ahead and count down to the obligatory Will Ferrell/SNL cowbell skit reference.

 

[Clubfitter]

SEC MEETINGS NOTEBOOK: New provision gives Mississippi State's cowbell new life | montgomeryadvertiser.com | Montgomery Advertiser
After discussing the issue, it seems a compromise was reached: Mississippi State fans can bring their cowbells and ring them to their hearts' content, but only when active play isn't occurring. They're treating it like music over the loud-speaker. So during stoppages of play, they can ring them, but they cannot before/during a play.

Like I said, it will be pretty interesting to see if the fans behave or not.

Thoughts? Do you like the compromise, or should they be allowed without restriction or completely banned?

Oh, and go ahead and count down to the obligatory Will Ferrell/SNL cowbell skit reference.

With the game on the line, don't think MSU fans can police themselves. A noise maker is a noise maker. Don't know why this is even an issue. Do away with all noise makers. MHO.

 

[Redwood Forrest]

Well, I have an even better solution: Allow speakers inside the helmets. With today's technology it would be really cheap. Now, ring those bells!

How silly a "new" rule on cow bells. If they are too chicken to enforce the rule, what makes anyone think they will enforce it now? So silly. If I were a State fan, I would ring away and dare them to do something -- just like they have been doing.

 

[kfo9494]

Your voice is a noise maker. and for a football game- artifical.
I actually like the cowbells. I go to state games to see one of the last old traditions in college football. Believe me Bryant-Denny Stadium was ten times louder when UT was kicking that field goal last year.
Without the cowbells at Scott Field you would sometimes here the crickets chirping cause it is so boring.
But I Guess some would post and say the crickets are making too much noise.
>
But is is never a problem till Miss State upsets a team. So once every five years we will hear that the cowbells needs to be banned when State upset one of the top teams in the SEC. Other than that you don't hear much from the SEC office.

 

[CullmanTide]

We have a few MSU fans here in Cullman that bring their cowbells to the high school games. They are an obnoxious bunch. I couldn't imagine having to sit among them at a college game.

 

[bamanick57]

I work with several MSU fans and they say this "new rule" will not make one bit of difference.

 

[crimsonaudio]

What that article doesn't mention is that there's no on-the-field penalty if they cowbells are used during play - the school can be fined by the SEC...

If they would simply enforce the 15 yard penalty rule that's in place, it would actually be effective.

 

[mikes12]

If this rule doesn't work, I say we then resort to making another rule, this time with stronger language. If that one doesn't work, we will make yet another rule, and this time include "we mean it this time". And then if that doesn't work, include an 'or else' clause.

 

[CullmanTide]

The rule is ridiculous in that it can't be enforced. I expect the school will even be selling them at games now. At the Alabama games they'll probably hand them out at the gate.

 

[ChattTide]

Essentially nothing was done.

Roll Tide!!
ChattTide

 

[Hal Bennett]

The problem with something like this is that our society has become so permissive to noise distraction, what probably was once a harmless matter is now raised to a level of harm.

I can speak from experience on this one -- many people who are now in their teens and twenties are going to wish one day that they had not ruined their hearing. Sorry if that sounds "old buzzard-ish," but the sad truth is that many people in this society today are going to become proponents of "a kinder and gentler society" when their days of I-Pods, etc. are "chickens come home to roost." Some will even have a ringing in their ears from the noise they "enjoyed" in their youth; they will wish that their problem was ONLY a hearing loss.

 

[selmaborntidefan]

I will confess that it amuses me that Ole Miss can keep out Rebel flags - which may offend some folks but do not in and of themselves do anything (and can be smuggled in a pocket or as an undershirt) but Miss. State can't keep out cowbells, which are larger and should theoretically be caught on the metal detector sweep.

I think they just don't WANT to catch whoever.

Let's face it - the Bulldogs have exactly ONE SEC title since 1933. They need all the help they can get.

 

[WRhodesTider]

My solution to the whole thing is for fans of the teams playing State to bring their own cowbells. If State got a dose of their own medicine, they may be running back to the SEC to ban the 'bells. Can you imagine 90,000+ Bama fans or 80,000+ LSU fans with cowbells?

Seriously, the noise with cowbells is the least of my worries. The things are made of metal and could easily cause a serious injury to another fan.

 

[Redwood Forrest]

If this rule doesn't work, I say we then resort to making another rule, this time with stronger language. If that one doesn't work, we will make yet another rule, and this time include "we mean it this time". And then if that doesn't work, include an 'or else' clause.

I reckon this kind of silly stuff makes some people feel good about themeselves. Political Correctness, I suppose. We have rules like this at work. NO GUNS ALLOWED ON COMPANY PROPERTY.

When this rule was made, I asked how they are going to enforce it, for I know for a fact several cars have pistols in the glove pocket. I was told there was no way to enforce it. I then wanted to know why they made a rule they know they can't enforce and those IDIOTS looked at me like I was the idiot.

So I pointed out that they enforced the no smoking rule but refused to enforce the no gun rule and that was harrassment. They looked at me like I was the IDIOT again. Idiots!

So we have no smoking and no guns, except you can have a gun. Idiots.

Here is an example of this kind of stupidity: NO EVIL THOUGHGS ALLOWED ON COMPANY PROPERTY. Of course it can't be enforced, but it makes us feel better! Hooray for us. (Pat self on back).

 

[rizolltizide]

SEC MEETINGS NOTEBOOK: New provision gives Mississippi State's cowbell new life | montgomeryadvertiser.com | Montgomery Advertiser

One of the issues covered during the SEC Meetings in Destin was Mississippi State's (illegal) use of cowbells. Noise-makers were supposed to be prohibited, but for a while its been a system of as long as its not visible when you pass through security, you're fine with your cowbell, free to ring it as much as you like during the game. And they certainly do, as I can well attest, having sat in their student section the last two times we played in Starkville. After discussing the issue, it seems a compromise was reached: Mississippi State fans can bring their cowbells and ring them to their hearts' content, but only when active play isn't occurring. They're treating it like music over the loud-speaker. So during stoppages of play, they can ring them, but they cannot before/during a play. I really like the compromise. Because 1) its ridiculous that they were allowed to brazenly defy a rule and ring all those bells. Anyone who says they don't make a difference clearly hasn't been inside the sea of cowbells. but 2) it feels wrong to get rid of the tradition altogether. Little traditions specific to each school like that are what makes college football great.

Like I said, I like the compromise. I think by far the most interesting part will be to see if the fans actually obey the rules. I would think it will be made quite clear that they're being given an olive branch by being allowed to have them and use them, plus the fact that the university will be punished if the rules aren't followed (the punishments haven't been decided yet). Also, the agreement is only in effect for a year (they decide next year if they want to ratify it again), which I think was a wise decision by Slive to see how it works before they make it official. But still, its going to be hard to stop that crowd from ringing their cowbells on third and long, in the fourth quarter, etc. Like I said, it will be pretty interesting to see if the fans behave or not.

Thoughts? Do you like the compromise, or should they be allowed without restriction or completely banned?

Oh, and go ahead and count down to the obligatory Will Ferrell/SNL cowbell skit reference.

I haven't seen any team tremble in fear of playing in Starkville. I can't remember the last time State won the SEC. In my opinion, which is worth nothing to anyone other than myself, leave their cowbells alone. Things like this is what makes college athletics great. So what if it's a little harder to hear the QB call the play in the huddle? They're a rural school and if they want to ring cowbells let them ring cowbells.

 

[Glenn_B]

If cowbells were banned could their cheerleaders still go to the game?

 

[RTR_UA#1]

Their fans used to have to sneak the cow bells into the stadium. Now that they can LEGALLY have them in the stadium that means more fans will have them. Do you think they will abide by the rules and ring only after plays.... HECK NO. They are going to ring the bells when the want to just like they were doing while they were SUPPOSED to be illegal.
The cow bell problem just got worse.

 

[Bodhisattva]

If cowbells are outlawed then only outlaws will have cowbells. Or something.

 

[Vinny]

We have a few MSU fans here in Cullman that bring their cowbells to the high school games. They are an obnoxious bunch. I couldn't imagine having to sit among them at a college game.

We went to the 07 game in Starkville and sat mainly in the Bama section, but we were in an ears shot of the cowbells and let me tell you, my ears were still ringing on our walk to the car after the game.
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[Hamilton]

I reckon this kind of silly stuff makes some people feel good about themeselves. Political Correctness, I suppose. We have rules like this at work. NO GUNS ALLOWED ON COMPANY PROPERTY.

When this rule was made, I asked how they are going to enforce it, for I know for a fact several cars have pistols in the glove pocket. I was told there was no way to enforce it. I then wanted to know why they made a rule they know they can't enforce and those IDIOTS looked at me like I was the idiot.

So I pointed out that they enforced the no smoking rule but refused to enforce the no gun rule and that was harrassment. They looked at me like I was the IDIOT again. Idiots!

So we have no smoking and no guns, except you can have a gun. Idiots.

Here is an example of this kind of stupidity: NO EVIL THOUGHGS ALLOWED ON COMPANY PROPERTY. Of course it can't be enforced, but it makes us feel better! Hooray for us. (Pat self on back).

I imagine the "no guns" rule was an issue of CYA. If it's posted as a rule and someone goes postal and starts shooting up the place, they'll limit their liability with their "no guns" policy. Of course they can't enforce it, but that's not what it's about. Unfortunately, we now live in a society where rules are made to protect the individual making them, NOT the individuals who are supposed to be following them.