August 22, 2003
SEC implements no-cowbell rule
This is ridiculous. The SEC has ruled that referees will have the authority to warn and subsequently penalize a team for what they consider a "significant" amount of cowbell noise in the stands. This rule will apply to all games by SEC teams (both in conference and out of conference games).
First, this is a completely arbitrary and totally ridiculous rule. How are the officials to judge what is a "significant" amount of noise? Second, this rule is directed at one school in particular: Mississippi State. Starkeville is a hell of a place for visiting teams to play because the entire crowd is involved in creating a hostile environment. (In fact, the cowbells are simply the most obvious tool the Bulldog fans use, but these guys are really, really good at setting other teams off.)
The whole point of playing home games is to have a HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE, isn't it? If MSU's "advantage" is better than other teams, too bad for the other teams. I don't see the SEC cutting down on the fans at Florida Field pouring beer (and other much less desirable fluids) on visiting fans from the second deck. I don't see the SEC ordering Georgia to trim the hedges. Is the SEC eventually going to completely sanitize conference games?
The ban does not (yet) apply to other noisemakers, but I'm pretty sure that the Southeastern Conference will eventually consider a crackdown on kazoos somewhere down the road. While they're at it, I think they should definitely look at clapping, cheering, stomping, hooting, hollering, and making those fart noises with your armpits. At least do something decent and prevent the bands from playing "Charge".
Other changes to the SEC policies include re-positioning cheerleaders in relation to the sidelines and limiting the number of songs a band can play after the game.
I only wish this were a joke.
Comments:
Chris Lawrence said:
posted on August 23, 2003 3:09 AM — 68.19.129.175 — link — abuse?
IIRC, the "no artificial noisemakers" rule has been in place for several seasons in the SEC; this is nothing new. Certainly they're all banned at Vaught-Hemingway in Oxford.
Kevin said:
posted on August 23, 2003 9:51 AM — 12.239.232.140 — link — abuse?
I stand corrected on the artificial noisemakers. There is a ban on some noisemakers but it is not terribly specific.
Still, I think eliminating cowbells is a bit much. Football is not a "quiet" event like say, going to an opera. Fans should be permitted to make as much noise as they want.
I don't expect too many folks at Ole Miss are terribly upset though, Chris. Right?
Chris Lawrence said:
posted on August 27, 2003 11:04 PM — 64.134.61.63 — link — abuse?
Nah, we're not all that broken up about it. I can sympathize though; the Bulldogs really need all the help they can get.
Next thing you know, there might be a rule requiring correct spelling. After all, the idiots running around with flags that spell "DAWGS" after every touchdown are really dragging down the image of literacy we want to promote in Mississippi and the SEC in general. :-)
grhopper said:
posted on August 28, 2003 1:10 PM — 68.159.1.42 — link — abuse?
The SEC is finally enforcing a rule that has been in place for years. A cowbell is an artificial noisemaker. All artificial noisemakers are banned, including air horns and such. Your comment about a fan should be able to make as much noise as he wants is great, as long as it is the fan making the noise and not an artificial noisemaker. It's too bad that Miss. St. fans need the help of a cowbell to make as much noise as the rest of the SEC. Why don't you grow a pair and make some noise with your mouth and hands, and not a stupid cowbell.
Kevin said:
posted on August 28, 2003 1:51 PM — 12.239.232.140 — link — abuse?
In fairness (because I don't have a dog (or "dawg") in this fight), every team has something at the game that give it a unique flavor and home field advantage. MSU had the cowbells - now they won't. It's just a shame because it was actually something a little different.
As Chris, and then I, and then you pointed out, artificial noisemakers are prohibited.
I'm sure if MSU fans really had something to cheer about, they would be just as loud as the other SEC crowds! ((ducks for cover from MSU cowbells))
posted on August 30, 2003 9:10 PM — 68.38.45.201 — link — abuse?Pete Holiday said:
True, true, but where does it stop? What if Auburn decided that "their thing" was going to be air horns or trumpets... and everyone in the stadium brought one? The fact is that it's a slippery slope when you allow ANY artificial noisemaker because, well, where do you draw the line? What is an acceptable one and what isn't?
I remember a few years back when Alabama told MSU not to bring the cowbells, because they would be confiscated and not returned. MSU brought them anyway, and Alabama managed to get hundreds upon hundreds of the things.
posted on September 9, 2003 10:49 AM — 65.116.13.168 — link — abuse?
I'm ok with getting rid of artificial noisemakers. We don't have any problem making noise without them.
And my last trip to Starkeville will probably be my last trip to Starkeville, specifically because of the State fans and their cowbells. From where we were sitting, they didn't seem too interested in using them to create a hostile environment for the visiting team, but rather for the visiting fans. Apparently these easily amused folks get their jollies by putting a cowbell behind peoples' heads and ringing it incessantly and daring them to do something about it. Or at least I think they were daring us to do something about it-- it was kind of hard to tell what they were saying with all that chewing tobacco in their mouths. Reeeeeeeeeal classy, Jethro.
That's not to say that our fans don't give folks a hard time now and then, but over the years I've found that State fans tend to take it to extremes and don't know when to stop. At the end of the day, it's just a game...there's really no need to try and ruin someone's whole experience.
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Todd Pollman said:
posted on August 23, 2003 12:07 AM — 24.73.58.66 — link — abuse?Christopher Walken is sure to be disappointed now...