Once again the SEC has dropped its steel hammer on Mississippi State’s beloved cowbells. This year’s “sportsmanship” rule states that artificial noisemakers will not be allowed at non-conference games.
During the upcoming football season it seems that the closest a cowbell will come to Davis Wade Stadium will be the pastures at North Farm.
And as if the new rule isn’t a hard enough slap in the face, add this to the mix–the vote was 12-0 in favor of the new rule.
The unanimous vote means that the Mississippi State representation joined with the likes of Mississippi and Alabama to further ban cowbells.
MSU has always prided itself on being a tradition-rich institution–it says that in the brochures sent out to prospective students–however when it comes time to stand up for those traditions the athletic administration folds like a baby blanket.
Generations after generations have come to MSU to enjoy its traditions and atmosphere. Cowbells have also been passed down through those same generations.
I, for one, received the cowbell my grandfather had while he was a Bulldog. He passed it down to my father and my father gave it to me. I plan to do the same for my children. That is if cowbells mean anything when they come along.
I know that the times your traditions are tested are the times you are supposed to hold tightest to them, and I’m positive many die hard Bulldogs will walk bravely to the gates of Davis Wade Stadium Saturday with cowbell in hand. I respect those fans very much for their determination.
I, on the other hand will not be one of them. Not because I’m happy with the rule or thrilled to see our traditions stolen from under our noses, but because my love for my university and its football program goes deeper than a cowbell.
You see, breaking this year’s rule comes with a penalty and a promise to enforce. Last year the same penalty was in place but hardly ever enforced.
This year’s rule calls for a more strict adherence than before. The first violation of the rule calls for a warning and every subsequent violation receives a 15-yard penalty.
After seeing this I asked myself if ringing a cowbell is worth 45 or so yards in penalties. The answer was no. A resounding no.
Over the past two seasons MSU has a combined record of 6-17 overall and 1-15 in the SEC. Also for the past five seasons MSU has been near the top of the SEC in penalties and penalty yards.
That tells me two things- MSU hurts itself too much with penalties and they have not been capable of overcoming those penalties. So if I can do my part in preventing a few useless penalties and saving some yards then I’ll be happy with or without my cowbell. Because it is my belief that fewer penalty yards will lead to better field position and more points which should turn into more wins–maybe even an SEC win this year.