Message from Stricklin regarding cowebell

[Weedy]

From Wednesday update:
One of the not-so-cool parts of last Saturday was the 25 or so percent of fans who continue to ignore the rules on cowbell etiquette. This totally perplexes me. Dak Prescott doesn’t need fans ringing when they shouldn’t to make a dazzling play for our State. Bernardrick McKinney doesn’t need fans ringing when they shouldn’t in order to deliver a crushing tackle.
Why anyone who professes love for this university would ring their cowbell when they’ve been told not to do so is beyond me. It’s selfish and disrespectful, two things Mississippi State does NOT represent. When you ring at times not allowed, you are telling Mark Keenum, Dan Mullen, myself and thousands of Bulldogs who have worked hard to legitimize this great tradition at our games that you don’t appreciate their efforts, and that you’re willing to risk having cowbells removed from Davis Wade Stadium altogether in the future.
A vast majority of our fans follow the rules governing artificial noisemakers (which says they can be rung except when the center is over the football). To those of you who do so, thanks. If you see someone disregarding the rules, do me a favor and ask them to stop. If we continue having this issue, security will be deployed to either remove offending cowbells, or the individuals who are ringing irresponsibly, from the stadium.
Remember, we are allowed to bring cowbells into Davis Wade Stadium because the other 13 SEC schools voted to allow it. If we continue to have problems following the rules, then they may decide to rescind that privilege. The last thing any of us want is to have to install metal detectors at the gates.
I appreciate everyone’s diligence with this important issue.

 

[karlchilders.sixpack]

BUMP, Please Read

...

 

[DogNSuds]

Why is this so hard!!!!

 

[Shooter McGavin.sixpack]

This won't sit well with a few internet bad asses on here who refuse to comply with simple instructions.

 

[archdog]

Why is this so hard!!!!

Because people are selfish asshats that think it is their right to do whatever they want. You are not special. Obey the rules. It's simple.

 

[Shmuley]

Loaferz stomping that foot.

 

[57stratdawg]

Is it just me, or is this a very overblown issue? I hardly ever notice cowbells during 'non-use' times.

I guess my experience is based on a lifetime of going to games when they were 'illegal' and everyone just rang the **** out of them anyway for the full 60 minutes.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

It's better to yell anyway. People yelling is much more effective in disrupting than cowbells.

 

[BulldogBlitz]

Because people are selfish asshats that think it is their right to do whatever they want. You are not special. Obey the rules. It's simple.

actually, i can ring it whenever i damn well please. it is my house, my rules. i'll ring it from the opening kick to the final buzzer. i don't care. come pry it out of my hands. of course, understand that this is texas and you'll be breaking into my house to do it... so i definitely have a right to shoot first.

how's that for internet tuff guy? hehe.

some of us growed up when cowbells were just plain not allowed. i know i look at this current situation as they still aren't allowed. it really will only take one less miles whine and cheese video to get the entire thing nixed anyway.

 

[FlotownDawg]

It's apparently not overblown if Stricklin is talking about metal detectors

If they get banned again, Stricklin probably knows it won't be like the first time, when there was no real penalty for ringing them. If they are banned a second time, you can bet some extremely draconian financial penalties will be administered as punishment. The SEC could ban them and then impose a $2 million fine for first offense and all of our SEC bowl money share for the second offense. If that happens, there WILL be metal detectors installed at all entrances and the cowbell tradition at football games will be dead, because we could not afford a penalty like that. Stricklin worked very hard to get the cowbells legal and he rightfully feels offended by the idiots who won't abide by the rules he worked hard to get put in place. Stricklin is a MSU man and loves the cowbell tradition. He has fought to keep that tradition alive. Now it is up to the fans to do their part and ring them at the appropriate times.

 

[tenureplan]

ESPN doesn't help, every time they mention the rule they will then add "like that's going to happen" which in a way is both a challenge and a go-ahead to some fans to disregard the rule.

 

[uptowndawg]

Seems like the people in my section did a pretty good job of switching from the bell to their voice at the right times. There was a lady in front of me who didn't comply, but I couldn't hear her bell over the yelling.

 

[Seinfeld]

Probably to State fans, but let us beat a couple more Top 10 teams at home and the whining floodgates that Les Myles opened two weeks ago will be blown wide open. I think we all agreed in a previous thread that Sumlin took the *** whopping like a man, but unfortunately for us, not all SEC coaches are that way. Myles, Saban, and others will use any excuse they can in order to knock us down

 

[Frexzell]

I will never understand people who disregard the rule. Also, I think it is pretty cool, and possibly disrupting to the opposing team, for the cowbells to go silent suddenly -- almost like a off-rhythm cadence on a snap -- as if there's something wrong or off about the situation.

 

[DogNSuds]

Ring 'em right!

If they get outlawed again, they won't be coming back.

 

[ckDOG]

Smart to press this issue this week.

He knows that if we win and don't respect the rules, Auburn will whine the rest of the season to have them banned. Whiney bitches that they are, they take extra exception to the bells. Best to get this corrected asap. The more we win, the more attention we will draw. Plus, somebody already mentioned, the sound change from cowbell to yelling is pretty cool and, in my opinion, more noticeable than solid ringing. I hate that it's an issue at all, but I'd rather have limited bells than no bells at all. Pretty simple.

 

[GTAdawg]

In a crowd of 60K plus, you'll never get them all to do the right thing*

nt

 

[AHSDawg]

I think we should have a completely 'educational' jumbotron. What I mean is this. We have to educate these morons as to when to ring and when to yell.

But, I get more irritated by our fans that do not know to shut the hell up when our offense has the ball. It should be pin drop quiet when we have the ball yet our crowd gets loud on big plays?!!?!??! I still remember the 1998 SECCG when our fans were getting loud as hell with the UT fans during our biggest offensive possessions.

The jumbotron needs to just become 'Reading for Dummies'. RING NOW!!! YELL NOW!!! SHUT UP NOW!!! across the biggest part of the board. Not just the little bell in the corner.

 

[GhostOfJackie]

Personally, I think yelling is louder

while the center is over the ball. We are never going to come to a time when 100% of the stadium is going to understand and follow the rules. Every fan base has a few uneducated simpletons that don't read message boards, pay attention to rules, or listen to the administration. The easiest thing to do is ask them nicely to ring responsibly. If the 95% of the people in the stadium understand what's at risk, we can stop the 5% of billy bad asses who want to **** it up for us.

and also, YELLING IS ******* LOUDER

 

[Dawgtini]

From Wednesday update:
The last thing any of us want is to have to install metal detectors at the gates.
I appreciate everyone’s diligence with this important issue.

This is what should concern everyone. A lot of people say "well we always snuck them in before, we will do it again!" No, you won't. We did before because our administration turned a blind eye, as it were. If the league gave us a shot at being respectful with the bells and we blow it, then the administration will have to enforce the ban. Besides, that means that shiny little "medicinal" item of mine that has been to oh so many games would have to stay at home too!

 

[GhostOfJackie]

Maybe Strickland can get Dak to explain this to these idiots. I know they will listen to him.

 

[DerHntr]

Bonedaddy... Please weigh in on this important issue. Will you toe the line or do what you please?

 

[campshelbydog842003]

I don't even bring one into the game. I yell. I don't want to lug around a cowbell to ring during timeouts.

 

[MStateFan22]

They need to go back to the sign in the corner of the board showing when to ring and when not to. instead of the "one simple rule" or whatever is says now.

In section 336, I'd says folks do a great job of not ringing but many stop ringing after the center is over the ball and before the snap.

 

[campshelbydog842003]

They need to go back to the sign in the corner of the board showing when to ring and when not to. instead of the "one simple rule" or whatever is says now.

In section 336, I'd says folks do a great job of not ringing but many stop ringing after the center is over the ball and before the snap.

This isn't an educational issue. Everyone in the stadium knows when to ring and when not to ring. It's about people trying to make it louder when we are on defense. Putting up a sign of when to ring isn't going to help. The ATM game was no better/worse than any other. Some people just don't care. I don't care about ringing them during the right times, so I just don't bring one in rather than getting us in trouble. The compromise itself is as dumb as the people that ring them when they aren't supposed to.

 

[woozman]

Is it just me, or is this a very overblown issue? I hardly ever notice cowbells during 'non-use' times.

You serious, Clark? Every 3rd down last weekend was a non-use time and they were clanging away loud as hell in Section 20 while A&M was over center. I've been leaving mine at home this year so I won't be tempted a "1/2 flask" in. Yelling is suiting me well, although I'm just getting my voice back today...

 

[msudawg12]

#respect

 

[WranglerofDawgs]

People really need to pay attention to this.

The other SEC schools are pushing and looking for ways to get rid of cowbells. Especially now that we are beating them, they'll use that as an excuse. Every since I've been a Mississippi State Fan (since birth, 1987), I have been around cowbells, and remember cowbells at games as far back as I remember. Let's not ruin this.

Please just politely ask whoever is around you ringing at an inappropriate time to refrain from that. It''s not that big of a deal to ask that.

 

[seb304]

No way were 25% of fans ringing cowbells at the wrong time

I agree that we have to do what it takes to not have bells banned -- but I think his premise is wrong. I didn't even notice lots of bells being rung once the center was over the ball.

 

[dawgstudent]

I just think Stricklin is realizing this rule is going to be scrutinized now more than ever.

 

[hatfieldms]

Same here

....

 

[randystewart]

Auburn will whine the rest of the season to have them banned. Whiney bitches that they are, they take extra exception to the bells.

Reading around the internet and talking to the ones I know, they are already doing this. This whole week has been talk about "those stupid bells" and how "unfair" they are. Never mind that we aren't louder than Auburn's stadium even with them..... The Auburn talk this week should put everyone on notice that they fully intend to blame their loss on the cowbells. Get ready for it, because it is coming. Stricklin needs to be able to show SEC office the film where our fans perfectly comply with the rule to offset the inevitable whining by Auburn.
There were many who complied last game, but were still several who blatantly disregarded the rule.

 

[57stratdawg]

I mean, maybe I just can't hear them from where I sit. I've had people tell me that you can't hear them at all on the field, but if you watch a game on TV - they're piercing.

 

[Xenomorph]

No AD writes a letter like that due to an "overblown issue". I imagine if you had a candid conversation with Stricklin he'd tell you he's doing what's necessary to ensure we don't lose the bells again on his watch.

 

[paindonthurt_]

But you should be able to ask for more than 75/25.

 

[BulldogBlitz]

You all should already know to leave the bell at home and sit on your hands while in the stadium. any conversation should be at a whisper. **

 

[MStateFan22]

You are right but i just think the old no ringing signal was a better reminder than "one simple rule"

 

[Frexzell]

Reading around the internet and talking to the ones I know, they are already doing this. This whole week has been talk about "those stupid bells" and how "unfair" they are. Never mind that we aren't louder than Auburn's stadium even with them..... The Auburn talk this week should put everyone on notice that they fully intend to blame their loss on the cowbells. Get ready for it, because it is coming. Stricklin needs to be able to show SEC office the film where our fans perfectly comply with the rule to offset the inevitable whining by Auburn.
There were many who complied last game, but were still several who blatantly disregarded the rule.

THIS! Auburn will definitely complain after this game, and Stricklin is already preparing his defense against these whiners.

 

[thekimmer]

The only thing that is going to work is confiscate and/or ejection...

Its like speeding. People widely ignore speed limits unless they perceive a real likelihood that they are going to get stopped and ticketed. I believe such a plan is coming. It was done in the 1980s when I was with a student

 

[00Dawg]

Take their bells. Start Saturday. One warning, then security takes your bell. Issue claim tickets or let them put their names on their bell to reclaim later. If they won't give it up, give 'em the boot.