This is a national, neutral-source opinion article. This didn't come from the Starkville Daily News - it's from MSNBC.
It clearly shows that we have a well-established tradition -- looks like the cowbell is older than at least 6 of the other 'Top 12' traditions in the country.
And like I've diatribed about before, I think we need to be pushing the "tradition" button. The cowbell is not a noisemaker that we use to gain an advantage over an opponent... It's simply a tradition that we hold dear, and that - apparently - we're known for nationally. It actually brings positive press to the SEC. Every school has a tradition. The SEC office wouldn't take away the Tiger Walk at Auburn, or Hold That Tiger at LSU, or burn down the hedges at UGA, right? So don't take this away from us.
This is the way I'd be approaching it. As a more warm and fuzzy, emotional, history-embracing artifact, rather than scientifically trying to prove decibel levels or whatever.
/spin-doctoring 101
