Mississippi State University’s diehard cowbell ringers may endanger their Bulldogs in Thursday night’s Southeastern Conference opener against the Tigers of Auburn University. If the beloved Bully Bells that have become a nationally known staple of MSU athletics ring out, State fans will be warned first, then the team will be penalized for subsequent infractions. SEC coordinator of football officials Bobby Gaston and commissioner Mike Slive will be in attendance to monitor the prevention of significant noise.
Gaston was quoted in Monday’s Clarion-Ledger: “My concern obviously is the definition of significant noise (enough for a warning or penalty). I would think that could be as few as five or six cowbells.”
The first time that noise is determined by Thursday’s officials, the referee will stop the game and issue a warning. After that, a 5-yard penalty will affect the Dawgs. Then each offense series will result in a 15-yard advantage awarded to Auburn. MSU survived 13 penalties for 110 yards (none related to noise violations) in the 51-13 win over Jacksonville State University.
The silencing process results from a 1973 ruling by the SEC to ban artificial noisemakers from conference games. Over the years when MSU finished near the bottom of the SEC every year in the standings, not that many SEC coaches made a raucous about the ringing.
More coaches have complained about the difficulties with calling plays over the clanging cowbells that have been an MSU tradition for more than seven decades.
The complaints led to stricter legislation in a May meeting of the minds.
Associate athletic director Duncan McKenzie said MSU officials will continue the basic search principles that were carried out in last Saturday night’s home opener against JSU in which cowbells were permitted.
“Fans will not be permitted to bring cowbells into the stadium,” said McKenzie. “If fans bring the cowbells to the gate, they have the option of returning the bells to their cars.”
Thus, if fans do not want to trek back through the sea of Maroon and White in tailgate country, and if students don’t want to make a trip back to their dorms or vehicles, they should not attempt to bring the bells that they cherish so much.
In an attempt to keep the tradition alive, MSU pre-recorded a segment of ringing cowbells at this year’s Fan Day. The SEC will also be watching over when the recordings are played.
“The SEC will institute a fine of $5,000 per penalty if the institution plays the cowbells at the wrong time,” McKenzie said.
The recording will be allowed to resonate through the speakers of Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field during pregame, halftime and postgame activities, and following Bulldog scoring plays.