Cowbells

So it's caused some discussion on other boards and in an effort to get us off some other, leaning political, topics, I thought I'd get everyone's opinions.


What are your thoughts on cowbells and do you take one to games? My .02 cents, I like them and I think they're a cool tradition but I haven't taken one to a game in almost a decade. It just becomes something extra to have to carry around all day and keep up with. I also don't like how some people will just sit and ring instead of standing up, yelling, and actually being involved in the game. Obviously if you're not able to stand that's a different thing. But there's plenty who are definitely able and just think ringing a cowbell with no emotion makes a difference.

Miss that bar.


Oh wait, ummm. I ring it and if you've got a belt loop then it really isn't much of an issue carrying. You would think it would save my voice some, but man I yell anyways.

I'm 57. I've never been to a Statr home game without a cowbell. Now, it's been several years since I've been able to make a game, but there will be a cowbell in my hand when I attend the next one.

It is THE thing that makes us unique. Does everyone need to be ringing? No. But it's part of being a State fan. It's something handed down and cherished. Bring it and Ring it!

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Originally Posted by BrunswickDawg

It is THE thing that makes us unique. Does everyone need to be ringing? No. But it's part of being a State fan. It's something handed down and cherished. Bring it and Ring it!

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Traditions matter regardless of what some think or post on here.

You will not catch me at a State football game without a cowbell in full swing. Yeah I'm the guy ringing it at the band warmup, dawgwalk, and any other time I feel like getting fired up.

The MSU cowbell is a big deal nationally too. It is MSU and what sets us apart. I was in a small town in TN last weekend and saw one for $30 in an antique store.

I like the tradition of cowbells.

But I think as a fanbase, we become too dependent on them to make noise when yelling is just as effective, if not more.

It's a sacred MSU tradition that should be cherished, flaunted and protected at all costs. That is why I get aggravated at people that refuse to adhere to the "Ring Responsibly" slogan. It is the only reason we still have the opportunity to continue our tradition. It's not a big deal to follow and will keep our conference brethren somewhat at bay regarding noisemakers. Plus it is a cool sound when the bells suddenly stop and yelling takes over. I used to take one every game but have not in years just so I don't have to keep up with it like VegasSteve said.

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Originally Posted by KOdawg1

I like the tradition of cowbells.

But I think as a fanbase, we become too dependent on them to make noise when yelling is just as effective, if not more.

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I agree completely. I love the tradition of them and that tradition should be protected. But I think some have gotten far too dependent on the cowbells. Look there is nothing better than the cowbells going crazy on a Saturday night in a close game. But the problem becomes when you have to stop ringing, which our fanbase does a good job with, and it seems like the decibels go down more than a few clicks.

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Originally Posted by KOdawg1

I like the tradition of cowbells.

But I think as a fanbase, we become too dependent on them to make noise when yelling is just as effective, if not more.

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I don't understand this. I've never had a voice left when I leave a game. Everyone around me rings and yells. When listening on tv, when the crowd stops ringing you can hear the vocal noise just as loud.
Except recently because we suck so bad.

I gave my daughter one of two traditional cowbells when I was at MSU back in the very early 70's. Back then you could buy a hand made cowbell that was not painted and you would paint it out decals on it plus a bike handle grip. It was the real deal and it big deal. It was hard to give it up but I wanted my daughter to have something from me that was special and one day she pass it down to one of my grandsons. I have one other from same era and will probably gift my granddaughter one day.

Don't be with the smack talk of talking down about a treasure to me on cowbells. Btw I have seen some rival fans get slobber knocked with cowbells before. Something u don't see now.

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Originally Posted by DownwardDawg

I don't understand this. I've never had a voice left when I leave a game. Everyone around me rings and yells. When listening on tv, when the crowd stops ringing you can hear the vocal noise just as loud.
Except recently because we suck so bad.

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That's great for you and the people around you. I didn't say "DownwardDawg and the people around him." But as whole, our fanbase depends on the cowbells more so than yelling. Go to a bowl game that doesn't allow cowbells and you'll see what I mean.

Most schools rely on something other than yelling - band music piped over the PA (I'm looking at you Tennessee and Alabama), or overly loud constant music (UGA), or dumb ass cocky crows (SC). And they all have twice as many fans in attendance.

In all honesty, having been at multiple big stadiums and games - there isn't that much real difference when it comes to noise at big games. Once it gets over 100dB's its all just noise.
WINNING is what makes it big time.

Love my cowbell! All the old stickers, dents, scratches, dried blood...

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Originally Posted by BrunswickDawg

Most schools rely on something other than yelling - band music piped over the PA (I'm looking at you Tennessee and Alabama), or overly loud constant music (UGA), or dumb ass cocky crows (SC). And they all have twice as many fans in attendance.

In all honesty, having been at multiple big stadiums and games - there isn't that much real difference when it comes to noise at big games. Once it gets over 100dB's its all just noise.
WINNING is what makes it big time.

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^^^ Right as usual.

I cant imagine going to a game without one. Id feel naked and ashamed

I wish it was not ?our thing? but it is. It is ok to be a realist. It makes it easy for people to make fun of your school when our claim to fandom is we ring really loud artificial noisemakers originally meant for herding cows together.

Now saying that, I will bring one and ring it for a big game (it has been a long time)

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Originally Posted by basedog

Traditions matter regardless of what some think or post on here.

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Cowbells equal the A&M gay dudes who do those weird pep ralley chants. It may be cringe as hell but it is our thing

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Originally Posted by MoreCowbell

Cowbells equal the A&M gay dudes who do those weird pep ralley chants. It may be cringe as hell but it is our thing

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Yep, we graduates are proud of our cowbells and traditions with it. I bet many don't know the history or story of how the cowbell began.

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Originally Posted by MoreCowbell

Cowbells equal the A&M gay dudes who do those weird pep ralley chants. It may be cringe as hell but it is our thing

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That is a ban worthy comment. Please don't project how you feel as how everyone feels. I've lived away from Mississippi for over 20 years, and in multiple states. People from all over love the cowbell, or love to hate it. Many are in awe of it when I show it to them.

Now, the "Egg Bowl"… that's a different story. People laugh at that name and trophy.

Love cowbells and I kick myself if I forget to bring it. I still have the big bell I bought at the lodge when I started in 97 and the warped one that I bought that was "smaller" for smuggling in when they started really checking. I have somewhat of a collection now. It is warped from the last Jackie years banging into the concrete. I have better anger management now.

I do love when it is done right in the stadium. Cowbells so loud you can't hear then the center touches the ball and silence for a split second before the roar of voices. It is such a shift of noise that is pure awesome.

About 45 years ago, my late SuperDog Dad went to the local hardware and bought two real cowbells, steel pipes and two bicycle handles. He carried all the components to a local body shop to be assembled and painted maroon. Go Dawgs was hand painted on one side and MSU on the other with owners' initials painted inside, all in white. He gave them to my brother in law and me that Christmas.

Over the many decades they have been carried to every game (58 consecutive years of family having season tickets), even when "banned". There was never an issue with them until we started winning consistantly and Shug Jordan pitched a fit during the Tyler years when I was a student at State. JWS personally autographed the bell during these years with, "Bring to All Games". Joe Lee Dunn and Emory Bellard also autographed it , but sadly all now gone, Should have had it clear coated.


My bell has been welded at various industries and the local College and Career Center too many times to count and has a long vertical crack now. Yes, it is much louder than the standard bell. The only louder bell I have heard is the "Battle Bell" made in MS. And yes, I have finally learned in my older years to "Ring Responsibly".

Now give me something positive to ring it about in the 2025 season, like wins and competitive losses. Last year was "Tech and Ten" level. BTW, was at that game and told my Dad as we left that we wouldn't win another game and was sadly correct.

Think I'll keep it and Keep Ringing. Hail State!

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Originally Posted by MoreCowbell

I wish it was not ?our thing? but it is. It is ok to be a realist. It makes it easy for people to make fun of your school when our claim to fandom is we ring really loud artificial noisemakers originally meant for herding cows together.

Now saying that, I will bring one and ring it for a big game (it has been a long time)

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Might want to look up the history of the cowbell.

Additionally, the Swiss ring cowbells at the Olympics especially winter and skiing. It?s cool as crap.

Seems like sometimes folks try so hard to be cool they forget how to be original.

Tampa Bay Rays also ring cowbells

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Originally Posted by Goldendawg

About 45 years ago, my late SuperDog Dad went to the local hardware and bought two real cowbells, steel pipes and two bicycle handles. He carried all the components to a local body shop to be assembled and painted maroon. Go Dawgs was hand painted on one side and MSU on the other with owners' initials painted inside, all in white. He gave them to my brother in law and me that Christmas.

Over the many decades they have been carried to every game (58 consecutive years of family having season tickets), even when "banned". There was never an issue with them until we started winning consistantly and Shug Jordan pitched a fit during the Tyler years when I was a student at State. JWS personally autographed the bell during these years with, "Bring to All Games". Joe Lee Dunn and Emory Bellard also autographed it , but sadly all now gone, Should have had it clear coated.


My bell has been welded at various industries and the local College and Career Center too many times to count and has a long vertical crack now. Yes, it is much louder than the standard bell. The only louder bell I have heard is the "Battle Bell" made in MS. And yes, I have finally learned in my older years to "Ring Responsibly".

Now give me something positive to ring it about in the 2025 season, like wins and competitive losses. Last year was "Tech and Ten" level. BTW, was at that game and told my Dad as we left that we wouldn't win another game and was sadly correct.

Think I'll keep it and Keep Ringing. Hail State!

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That's a great story. My current bell is a Battle Bell my kids bought me for Father's Day several years ago. It has my initials engraved on it.
I have a bell in my office signed by Moulds and Smoot. This was the bell I carried to games when I was a student at State in the early 90's.

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Originally Posted by MoreCowbell

Cowbells equal the A&M gay dudes who do those weird pep ralley chants. It may be cringe as hell but it is our thing

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That's a terrible take.

Love cowbells. It's a great tradition. A lot of people that hate them wish their team were the ones who had them.

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Originally Posted by MoreCowbell

Cowbells equal the A&M gay dudes who do those weird pep ralley chants. It may be cringe as hell but it is our thing

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So your user name means nothing to you.

Cowbells. Or Death.

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Originally Posted by BrunswickDawg

Most schools rely on something other than yelling - band music piped over the PA (I'm looking at you Tennessee and Alabama), or overly loud constant music (UGA), or dumb ass cocky crows (SC). And they all have twice as many fans in attendance.

In all honesty, having been at multiple big stadiums and games - there isn't that much real difference when it comes to noise at big games. Once it gets over 100dB's its all just noise.
WINNING is what makes it big time.

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True. Winning matters. I've been in a lot of environments and never experienced anything louder than 2017 lsu and bama. My ears were ringing 24 hours later. Maybe I was just right beside an enthusiastic bell ringer.

I always take a bell and buy a new one yearly. I always ring the damn thing out.

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Originally Posted by MoreCowbell

Cowbells equal the A&M gay dudes who do those weird pep ralley chants. It may be cringe as hell but it is our thing

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I disagree. There?s probably nothing else in CFB that?s close to what Gay&M does.

My clanger flew out off the bell and hit a lady at a bowl game once........she picked it up and passed it back several rows to me

Bring it and ring it! If you don't like cowbells, GTFO. It's basically the only thing we have that's unique to us.

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Originally Posted by Turfdawg67

That is a ban worthy comment. Please don't project how you feel as how everyone feels. I've lived away from Mississippi for over 20 years, and in multiple states. People from all over love the cowbell, or love to hate it. Many are in awe of it when I show it to them.

Now, the "Egg Bowl"… that's a different story. People laugh at that name and trophy.

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I guarantee you Texas A&M fans hear the same thing. Overall though, the majority of people who follow football find it completely cringe. I mean it is what it is.

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Originally Posted by Pinto

Might want to look up the history of the cowbell.

Additionally, the Swiss ring cowbells at the Olympics especially winter and skiing. It?s cool as crap.

Seems like sometimes folks try so hard to be cool they forget how to be original.

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The only point I am making is the mass majority of people who follow college football laugh at it and think it is cringe. The overall perception of it leans negative IMO. Unless you are a fan you do not know the history.

If you read my original post I said that I do in fact bring one and ring it for big games. It is our tradition and I will play along. But do I wish we had a different one we were known for? Yeah. But until then I will ring ring ring.

I do not think that is a hot take, or make me a hater. I actually do something I do not like because I love my team and State so much that I am willing to do it.

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Originally Posted by BrunswickDawg

So your user name means nothing to you.

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Refer to my original comment. But the I have a fever skit on SNL was likely the engine that caused me to choose that name.