re: cowbells should not be allowed in a stadium

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The Southeastern Conference clarified its wording of the artificial noisemaker rule Friday, specifically known to Mississippi State fans as the "cowbell compromise."

The amendment voted on at the league's annual meetings in Destin, Florida, will allow "the use of institutionally controlled, computerized sound systems (including music), institutionally controlled artificial noisemakers, and traditional institutional noisemakers at any time, except from the time the offensive center is over the football until the play is whistled dead."

"This proposal will enhance the fan experience and provide institutions with the flexibility to appeal to their fans by the use of musical and institutionally-controlled noise," SEC Commissioner Mike Slive said in a written statement.

Under the previous rule, the policy allowed fans to ring a cowbell before the game, at halftime, between quarters, during timeouts, after scoring plays, and during possession changes.

The league imposed a $25,000 fine on MSU for violation of the SEC's Artificial Noisemaker Policy last football season. Further violations by the Bulldogs program will result in a $50,000 fine. Slive announced the fine last December. It was the first monetary fine for the school since the end of the 2010 season. Slive made it clear more severe penalties could come if MSU's fans don't 'ring responsibly' and follow the school's marketing campaign.

"By virtue of the current legislation, the conference has recognized this long-standing tradition at Mississippi State," Slive said in December. "It should be noted, however, that continued violation of the policy could lead not only to substantially higher financial penalties for the institution, but also to a review of the existing legislation concerning artificial noisemakers."

After an 11-0 vote in 2011, SEC school presidents approved extending the temporary change to the artificial noisemaker policy that was drawn up in 2010 to allow MSU fans to bring cowbells to campus football stadiums. The SEC banned cowbells, which is one symbol that is recognized to stand for MSU, from 1974-2010.

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