Cowbells

[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!