Ring my bell.

     Last week I discussed something about Mississippi State University that is an outrage, but this week I would like to write about something wonderful about my university, the traditions. There is a crisp feeling in the Starkville that started floating in on Saturday...football season. With a season opening win under our belts, from now until December in this town there will be cowbells ringing, and the stadium singing. I have been to numerous collegiate campuses, larger and smaller than MSU's, but there are not many places quite as atheistically impressive as fall in Starkville. Some of the traditions that us State students very seriously are cowbells and football season.
     The tradition of the loudly ringing cowbell made its way to State during university's very successful football years in the 1930s and 40s, appropriately called the "golden age." Legend has it that a Jersey cow walked onto the field during a football game, so cattle and the bell became a trademark for good luck. By the time the 1950s rolled around the cowbell had become pretty common at Mississippi State sporting events. In 1974, the cowbell and other artificial noise makers were banned from the Southeastern Conference, not to say rules weren't broken. In 2010, the probationary period for the cowbell's official comeback at home football games was introduced. There are bell rules that supposed to be followed, but most students and fans consider those "guidelines" about as seriously as the campus speed limit. Another tradition associated with the cowbell  is for students to never buy a cowbell for yourself, a cowbell is always a gift. The traditions of the cowbell may seem silly to some, but the Mississippi State family will be ringing loudly and proudly for many years to come. Hail State, and ring responsibly.

For more information on Mississippi State University traditions...
http://www.alumni.msstate.edu/s/811/index.aspx?sid=811&gid=1&pgid=761