ATTENTION, irresponsible ringers:

[Mr Meoff]

This is from the MState athletic site describing our important traditions:

The most unique and certainly the most resounding symbol of Mississippi State University tradition is the cowbell. Despite decades of attempts by opponents and authorities to banish it from scenes of competition, diehard State fans still celebrate Bulldog victories loudly and proudly with the distinctive sound of ringing cowbells.

This symbol of our school has been around for over 70 years. It's widely regarded, around the SEC, and around the nation, as the most recognizable tradition at Mississippi State. It's something that every real State fan should appreciate, and should want to keep around forever. If they are banned, the other schools get what they want -- it will be 'banished from scenes of competition' and we will lose one of our most cherished traditions. I don't want to let that happen.

We're at a fork in the road, and it boils down to this. We have two home games left. The athletic department has pretty much confirmed that the fate of the cowbells will be decided in these next two games. If we prove what other schools and ADs think, and that is that we are on the whole a bunch of idiotic rednecks who can't follow fairly simple rules, then the conference (and consequently the school) will do <span style="text-decoration:underline">what they were going to do before this summer anyway</span> and take them away for good. IF, on the other hand, we can follow the simple rules, we can keep them. Think about it -- basically all you have to do is NOT ring them when the other team is at the line of scrimmage for these next two games, and we should be able to keep bringing cowbells to football games forever. Do what other schools do and YELL at those times, and we can keep the tradition alive. It's not that difficult. And isn't it worth it, really?

If the bells are banned forever, what will be the takeaway of opposing fans and players when they think about football at Davis Wade Stadium? "Another T"? Smelly cups? I have no clue, and don't want to think about it. We have a pretty good thing going, and I for one would like to keep it. Do you want to tell your grandkids - "We used to have these things called cowbells..." or do you want to be able to hand them your 50 year old bell and say, "Ring this forever"?

It sickens me to know that 70 years of tradition could be ended by a few clowns who think it's their God-given right to have it their way and ring whenever they want to. Okay, I'm done. Where's the tylenol?

 

[Mr Meoff]

This is from the MState athletic site describing our important traditions:

The most unique and certainly the most resounding symbol of Mississippi State University tradition is the cowbell. Despite decades of attempts by opponents and authorities to banish it from scenes of competition, diehard State fans still celebrate Bulldog victories loudly and proudly with the distinctive sound of ringing cowbells.

This symbol of our school has been around for over 70 years. It's widely regarded, around the SEC, and around the nation, as the most recognizable tradition at Mississippi State. It's something that every real State fan should appreciate, and should want to keep around forever. If they are banned, the other schools get what they want -- it will be 'banished from scenes of competition' and we will lose one of our most cherished traditions. I don't want to let that happen.

We're at a fork in the road, and it boils down to this. We have two home games left. The athletic department has pretty much confirmed that the fate of the cowbells will be decided in these next two games. If we prove what other schools and ADs think, and that is that we are on the whole a bunch of idiotic rednecks who can't follow fairly simple rules, then the conference (and consequently the school) will do <span style="text-decoration:underline">what they were going to do before this summer anyway</span> and take them away for good. IF, on the other hand, we can follow the simple rules, we can keep them. Think about it -- basically all you have to do is NOT ring them when the other team is at the line of scrimmage for these next two games, and we should be able to keep bringing cowbells to football games forever. Do what other schools do and YELL at those times, and we can keep the tradition alive. It's not that difficult. And isn't it worth it, really?

If the bells are banned forever, what will be the takeaway of opposing fans and players when they think about football at Davis Wade Stadium? "Another T"? Smelly cups? I have no clue, and don't want to think about it. We have a pretty good thing going, and I for one would like to keep it. Do you want to tell your grandkids - "We used to have these things called cowbells..." or do you want to be able to hand them your 50 year old bell and say, "Ring this forever"?

It sickens me to know that 70 years of tradition could be ended by a few clowns who think it's their God-given right to have it their way and ring whenever they want to. Okay, I'm done. Where's the tylenol?

 

[Mr Meoff]

This is from the MState athletic site describing our important traditions:

The most unique and certainly the most resounding symbol of Mississippi State University tradition is the cowbell. Despite decades of attempts by opponents and authorities to banish it from scenes of competition, diehard State fans still celebrate Bulldog victories loudly and proudly with the distinctive sound of ringing cowbells.

This symbol of our school has been around for over 70 years. It's widely regarded, around the SEC, and around the nation, as the most recognizable tradition at Mississippi State. It's something that every real State fan should appreciate, and should want to keep around forever. If they are banned, the other schools get what they want -- it will be 'banished from scenes of competition' and we will lose one of our most cherished traditions. I don't want to let that happen.

We're at a fork in the road, and it boils down to this. We have two home games left. The athletic department has pretty much confirmed that the fate of the cowbells will be decided in these next two games. If we prove what other schools and ADs think, and that is that we are on the whole a bunch of idiotic rednecks who can't follow fairly simple rules, then the conference (and consequently the school) will do <span style="text-decoration:underline">what they were going to do before this summer anyway</span> and take them away for good. IF, on the other hand, we can follow the simple rules, we can keep them. Think about it -- basically all you have to do is NOT ring them when the other team is at the line of scrimmage for these next two games, and we should be able to keep bringing cowbells to football games forever. Do what other schools do and YELL at those times, and we can keep the tradition alive. It's not that difficult. And isn't it worth it, really?

If the bells are banned forever, what will be the takeaway of opposing fans and players when they think about football at Davis Wade Stadium? "Another T"? Smelly cups? I have no clue, and don't want to think about it. We have a pretty good thing going, and I for one would like to keep it. Do you want to tell your grandkids - "We used to have these things called cowbells..." or do you want to be able to hand them your 50 year old bell and say, "Ring this forever"?

It sickens me to know that 70 years of tradition could be ended by a few clowns who think it's their God-given right to have it their way and ring whenever they want to. Okay, I'm done. Where's the tylenol?

 

[Mr Meoff]

This is from the MState athletic site describing our important traditions:

The most unique and certainly the most resounding symbol of Mississippi State University tradition is the cowbell. Despite decades of attempts by opponents and authorities to banish it from scenes of competition, diehard State fans still celebrate Bulldog victories loudly and proudly with the distinctive sound of ringing cowbells.

This symbol of our school has been around for over 70 years. It's widely regarded, around the SEC, and around the nation, as the most recognizable tradition at Mississippi State. It's something that every real State fan should appreciate, and should want to keep around forever. If they are banned, the other schools get what they want -- it will be 'banished from scenes of competition' and we will lose one of our most cherished traditions. I don't want to let that happen.

We're at a fork in the road, and it boils down to this. We have two home games left. The athletic department has pretty much confirmed that the fate of the cowbells will be decided in these next two games. If we prove what other schools and ADs think, and that is that we are on the whole a bunch of idiotic rednecks who can't follow fairly simple rules, then the conference (and consequently the school) will do <span style="text-decoration:underline">what they were going to do before this summer anyway</span> and take them away for good. IF, on the other hand, we can follow the simple rules, we can keep them. Think about it -- basically all you have to do is NOT ring them when the other team is at the line of scrimmage for these next two games, and we should be able to keep bringing cowbells to football games forever. Do what other schools do and YELL at those times, and we can keep the tradition alive. It's not that difficult. And isn't it worth it, really?

If the bells are banned forever, what will be the takeaway of opposing fans and players when they think about football at Davis Wade Stadium? "Another T"? Smelly cups? I have no clue, and don't want to think about it. We have a pretty good thing going, and I for one would like to keep it. Do you want to tell your grandkids - "We used to have these things called cowbells..." or do you want to be able to hand them your 50 year old bell and say, "Ring this forever"?

It sickens me to know that 70 years of tradition could be ended by a few clowns who think it's their God-given right to have it their way and ring whenever they want to. Okay, I'm done. Where's the tylenol?

 

[Mr Meoff]

This is from the MState athletic site describing our important traditions:

The most unique and certainly the most resounding symbol of Mississippi State University tradition is the cowbell. Despite decades of attempts by opponents and authorities to banish it from scenes of competition, diehard State fans still celebrate Bulldog victories loudly and proudly with the distinctive sound of ringing cowbells.

This symbol of our school has been around for over 70 years. It's widely regarded, around the SEC, and around the nation, as the most recognizable tradition at Mississippi State. It's something that every real State fan should appreciate, and should want to keep around forever. If they are banned, the other schools get what they want -- it will be 'banished from scenes of competition' and we will lose one of our most cherished traditions. I don't want to let that happen.

We're at a fork in the road, and it boils down to this. We have two home games left. The athletic department has pretty much confirmed that the fate of the cowbells will be decided in these next two games. If we prove what other schools and ADs think, and that is that we are on the whole a bunch of idiotic rednecks who can't follow fairly simple rules, then the conference (and consequently the school) will do <span style="text-decoration:underline">what they were going to do before this summer anyway</span> and take them away for good. IF, on the other hand, we can follow the simple rules, we can keep them. Think about it -- basically all you have to do is NOT ring them when the other team is at the line of scrimmage for these next two games, and we should be able to keep bringing cowbells to football games forever. Do what other schools do and YELL at those times, and we can keep the tradition alive. It's not that difficult. And isn't it worth it, really?

If the bells are banned forever, what will be the takeaway of opposing fans and players when they think about football at Davis Wade Stadium? "Another T"? Smelly cups? I have no clue, and don't want to think about it. We have a pretty good thing going, and I for one would like to keep it. Do you want to tell your grandkids - "We used to have these things called cowbells..." or do you want to be able to hand them your 50 year old bell and say, "Ring this forever"?

It sickens me to know that 70 years of tradition could be ended by a few clowns who think it's their God-given right to have it their way and ring whenever they want to. Okay, I'm done. Where's the tylenol?

 

[lanceharbor7]

The SEC and the Athletic department are trying to control something that is not really controllable and never has been.

 

[DowntownDawg]

...when substantial fines are on the line, they will attempt and succeed. I don't know why people can't envision patdowns and even metal detectors. I've been patted down in Oxford several times.

And even if you get a cowbell in, game officials will be instructed to confiscate, just like at away games. It's really not that hard to enforce, we've just never really tried to enforce it.

And ON TOP OF ALL THAT, you are hurting your school and your athletic program by ringing them if they are against the rules. We can ill afford to pay these fines.

 

[opieT]

Now I have rang my cowbell on third downs this year, but come Saturday, I don't care if I'm the only one I will be ringing responsibly. I dont want to lose this and there are other ways to make noise. We somehow act right for a couple of years all this will die down a little!

Ring Responsibly!

 

[Shmuley]

While I agree with the substance of your post, if we were dealing with only " ... a few clowns who think it's their God-given right to have it their way and ring whenever they want to ...." then there wouldn't be an issue. Obviously it's a problem because there are way yonder more than just a few.

 

[lanceharbor7]

How long has liquor been illegal in the stadium?

 

[patdog]

You 17ing morons are determined to get cowbells banned for real. If they keep fining us, we WILL see metal detectors at every gate and there won't be more than 100 cowbells that sneak into Scott Field. And for theidiot who said it wasn't feasible, they sure as hell did it for the first game after 9/11. And they do it at a lot of major sporting events and concerts all the time.

 

[patdog]

nm

 

[lanceharbor7]

Not gonna happen.

 

[Shmuley]

Conference Retard Equilibrium, people !!!!

Learn it. Deal with it. Neither conference retard program shall be allowed to negatively affect retard equilibrium for any appreciable length of time.

The Black Bearz **** the bed with the mascot cluster f@ck. The rest of the conference pointed and laughed their *** off, with the other conference retard program leading the schadenfreude celebration.

The reaction? Cosmically mandated retard equilibrium ala conference clampdown on retard bell ringing. Conference retard equilibrium temporarily restored.

 

[lawdawg02]

Do you want to tell your grandkids - "We used to have these things called cowbells..." or do you want to be able to hand them your 50 year old bell and say, "Ring this forever only during timeouts and at halftime and when the Bulldogs score"?

I kid. I completely agree. While I have never agreed with nor understood the SEC's firm stance against cowbells, our best (and really only) hope for preserving the tradition in at least some form is to abide by the rules for the next 2 games. Sadly, I don't see it happening, but hopefully we can at least show improvement to support our position.

 

[lanceharbor7]

nm

 

[DowntownDawg]

...and it's not exactly that obvious when someone is drinking, except when their behavior becomes absurd and disturbing to other people.

You are absolutely missing the point. Cowbells were illegal before this year, just like liquor. They were on the same footing. No real effort was made to police either.

Again, it's not hard to pat people down, and it's not hard to take bells up either. That would get 85-90% of the bells. This is what the AD will be forced to do instead of paying $25,000 in fines.

On the other hand, someone ringing a cowbell is obvious.

 

[Shmuley]

Re-hire that incompetent MFer crxxms and return to crxxms level suck and PRESTO MFERS! No more bell problem.

F YOU SLIVE. F YOU.

 

[Bones.sixpack]

are probably the same dumba's that won't stop when a cop points a taser at you and yells "stop". Guess what; your gonna to get tased and nobody's going to feel sorry for you. They'll be sayin', "Look at those dumba's. All they had to do was stop."</p>

 

[lanceharbor7]

It's nothing a little civil disobedience can't take care of. Some people are really just too obsessed with following the rules.

 

[jmbeck]

There are only two opportunities within the game to ring your bell. After scores, and during timeouts.

There is no ringing after a change in possession (fumbles, interceptions, failed 4th downs). There is no ringing after a play of greater than 20 yards. There is no ringing for Bulldogs converting on 4th down. There is no ringing for passes being broken up, for sacks, for big hits, etc. These are the times that are killing us for fines I believe. It's really not about "not ringing while the opposing team is at the line". It's about ringing during times when emotion overcomes sense, and that is hard to regulate.

I think the AD needs to take the focus on when you can't ring the bell, because a lot of people just really don't understandthat post-snap ringing is causing the problems.

</p>

 

[War Machine Dawg]

<div>
Those of you that believed the legalization of cowbells would be
anything but one-and-done, what the hell were you thinking? We could
follow the rules to the "T" and they'd have found some ******** excuse
to take them away next year. Hell, Commissioner Slive all but said it.
What matters is that we are a good football team aGAIN. You didn't hear
peep one about cowbells when Crxxms was coaching and we were getting
drilled 35-6. But now that we're back to beating that ***, cowbells are a
problem. It's all I 17ing heard on Sunday. "How do y'all stand those
cowbells? They're annoying." I told my dad that night, just wait, that
cowbells were about to be an issue aGAIN. Not exactly going out on a
limb, but dammit, it's history repeating itself. So screw it, enjoy 'em
this year, and go back to sneaking 'em in next year. The Big Boys shall
not tolerate our beating that *** without retribution. And that
retribution will be taking away the cowbells, aGAIN.
</div>

 

[YeoDawg]

Think about it -- basically all you have to do is NOT ring them when the other team is at the line of scrimmage for these next two games, and we should be able to keep bringing cowbells to football games forever.

I agree fully, but this is not what the rule states. It may be too late now, but the administration should have at least fought for our right to ring on a big gain, INT, fumble recovery, etc. I could be wrong but I don't think the SEC is looking souly out our ringingwhen anopponentshas the ball, they are counting every infraction of the rule, with ringing on the opponents 3rd being thier biggest focus. I mean seriously, what kind of fun is it to ring at half time and during timeouts? I do think that we need to tone it down when the opponent has the ball, but only to satisfy the SEC. I see no problem with ringing in celebration after any big play, offensively or deffensively. Probably won't matter next year though. Tis a shame.

 

[FlabLoser]

Are cowbells a 1st Amendment issue? Freedom of speech and ****...

I now constitutional rights don't apply on private property. For instance if I'm invited into your house, I don't have free speech in your house.

But MSU is a government-owned and run institution. As is Davis Wade Stadium. As is every SEC school except for Vanderbilt. The constitution should apply there.

 

[GulfCoastDawg]

When no one is looking.

 

[jcdawgman18]

No help from 1st Amendment there.

 

[DowntownDawg]

....and the cop says "Hand me your bell." Gonna fight him? Gonna leave the game?

Or explain to me what happens when your bell is hidden in your jacket and it gets discovered and they take it. Gonna take off running through the concourse?

I'll hang up and listen.

 

[FlabLoser]

MSU can't trade your rights for you. We as fans have 1st Amendment rights.

Really wish I could ask the lawyers up north about this on nafoom. But, uh, I'm kinda banned over there.

 

[DowntownDawg]

I can promise you that our AD is not going to sit around and pay big fines. And why would you want them to?

I mean, how stupid can people possibly be?

 

[lanceharbor7]

I'll probably strip my clothes off, light myself on fire and run onto the field. What part of the "civil" in civil disobedience did you miss?

 

[jcdawgman18]

1) By being in the SEC, MSU forfeits its right to make the rule.
2) By buying a ticket, you submit yourself to the rules outlined, which come from the SEC due to step 1.

 

[patdog]

nm</p>

 

[lawdawg02]

submits you to whatever rules they have in place. For instance, you have the right to own alcohol. But in buying a ticket and going into the stadium, you submit to the stadium's restrictions, so you can't carry alcohol. Or an umbrella. Or a gun. Or a video camera into a movie theater. Even though you could freely carry those things anywhere else in public. Basically, you're not in public at a sporting event.

MSU sets those restrictions in accordance with SEC regulations, as a duty of a member organization. </p>

 

[DowntownDawg]

[No message]

 

[lanceharbor7]

If the AD wants to let it go back like it was he can. It really depends on how much of a stand he wants to take, or if the SEC wants to take over game management for its member schools.

 

[lanceharbor7]

Hand it over.

 

[DerHntr]

If the AD wants to let it go back like it was he can. It really depends
on how much of a stand he wants to take, or if the SEC wants to take
over game management for its member schools.

all they have to do is make the rule "no cowbells at any time or you will be fined". once the fines start rolling in our AD will do what they have to do with game management to significantly reduce the number of bells. that might include metal detectors, being patted down, and taking them up when rung in the stands. if it doesn't get better then they could start throwing people out of the stadium. who knows.

 

[McDawg]

My wifey just can't stop ringing her bell. I've warned her. She says it's her responsiblity to ring her bell, make noise and cheer for our team. On the other hand, if we can't ring the bell when it's a big moment, then ringing the bell when nothing's going on is really useless.

 

[DowntownDawg]

Welcome to reality.

 

[lanceharbor7]

Maybe I'll go all "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka" and I'll have ten?