Cowbell superstition

[Maroon90]

Where did this business of “Your first cowbell must be a gift, not a purchase” originate?
Coach Leach was talking it up on “The Dan LeBatard Show” today. I first heard about this about a decade ago, never heard it in my student days in the late 80s, and have been in a family of State fans all my life.
Does anyone remember how far back the superstition/tradition goes?

 

[RocketDawg]

Never heard it either - it must be new. I bought mine when I was a freshman.

 

[AFDawg]

I don't recall hearing it until the last few years. I bought my own--along with a ball of Edam--on my first day on campus in 2000.

 

[patdog]

I guess I’m screwed then. Don’t remember if I bought mine my 1st day on campus, but it was in the 1st week.

 

[MeridianDog]

I bought mine, too. - 1968

Is that why we lose?

Are you saying all this losing is my fault?

View attachment 15353

 

[TaleofTwoDogs]

Bought mine new from the book store in the Union in '71. Still have it on the shelf in my office. Bought all of my textbooks that day and had just enough money to buy the bell. One of the best buys ever.

 

[hydrodawg]

I heard this in 1997. My gf bought me one and relayed the story. I think her freshman orientation leader told her the story so it has been around that long at least.

 

[Wizard.sixpack]

Based on these responses, I think I see the reason for our bad luck. You all must give away your cowbells and then tell that person to give it back...no that won’t work that would be being an Indian giver and that would make it worse...just scrap them and the hope someone gives you another one

 

[Dawg1979]

Secret Santa it. switch names, everyone send each other a cowbell.

 

[goodknight]

No clue must be recent or some urban legend.

Made mine. Wife purchased hers. Everybody in my family either made or purchased one.

 

[Bulldog Bruce]

I really screwed up in that I made mine. I bought a cowbell at TSC and cutoff an old bicycle handlebar and welded it up. Sorry

 

[Nunya.sixpack]

I have 2. One purchase, one gift

 

[HumpDawgy]

Well, I believe Keenum needs to provide all incoming freshmen with one in their orientation packets. I never got one in mine so I made the purchase.

 

[aTotal360]

It's a recycled superstition from motorcycles owners. When you buy a bike, someone is suppose to buy you a bell. Wards off bad luck. Just like wearing any sort of religious paraphernalia. Next time you see a Harley, look under the frame. I guarantee you will see a tiny bell zip tied to it.

https://www.bikebandit.com/blog/the-legend-of-the-gremlin-bell-a-bikers-tradition

 

[Dawgbite]

It's a recycled superstition from motorcycles owners. When you buy a bike, someone is suppose to buy you a bell. Wards off bad luck. Just like wearing any sort of religious paraphernalia. Next time you see a Harley, look under the frame. I guarantee you will see a tiny bell zip tied to it.

https://www.bikebandit.com/blog/the-legend-of-the-gremlin-bell-a-bikers-tradition

I was about to post this as well but I think it goes back even further than this. Bells were given as wedding presents to ward off evil spirits in the new household.

 

[Crucifictorious]

I heard it in 1996 1997 as well, so it must have started around then.

 

[WilCoDawg]

View attachment 15354

 

[VolunteerDawg]

I heard it when I was a freshman in 2009 and my big brother (an MSU alum himself) gave me my first bell.

We retold the story frequently when I was a Roadrunner and when I worked in the Admissions office. Honestly I always loved telling families that because I would always drop them back off at the Barnes and Noble at the end of their visit and if the kid wanted to go to State, the parents would go and buy their kid a cowbell of their own. I got a couple emails from parents of their students with their new cowbells. Made my day.

And for the discerning sports fans who know our history in football, I would often throw in a joke about people buying their own cowbells and making us lose all these years. It's all y'all's fault.

 

[fedxdog]

As a freshman in '65, i walked to a barn behind Hightower dorm and purchased mine just as they finished welding it together...some student group (ag) made them..think i had to buy my own bike grip somewhere else and painted it myself...seldom saw white bells back then.

 

[archdog]

I believe the first I heard about it was a couple of years ago. Someone may have mentioned it when i was in school in the early 2000s, but I believe it has taken off as of late.
I personally like the tradition of having to have someone gift it to you. I remember every single person that has ever given me a cowbell and I think of them often when I look at them or use them.

I bought my mother one last year, it was her first.

 

[thekimmer]

Been an MSU fan/student/alumnus for 50 years and never heard of this. Its a bit ridiculous if you ask me.

 

[GloryDawg]

Bought mine new from the book store in the Union in '71. Still have it on the shelf in my office. Bought all of my textbooks that day and had just enough money to buy the bell. One of the best buys ever.

1971 so how much did you spend total, $50.00?

 

[DoggieDaddy13]

I was told in the 70's it had to be gifted, but I never got one, so...
I took a family member's cowbell without her knowledge. She'd gotten married and moved away. This was right after the 74 season when we beat North Carolina in a Bowl game.
The next year: Probation hit. All of our wins were forfeited for like 4 years, I believe, until Bellard came along.
I finally got my own bell - as a gift from my mother - before the 1980 season. I think we all know what happened that year.
So parents, don't wait! Give each of your children a cowbell ASAP.
The dead injuns know.

 

[Dawgbite]

Been an MSU fan/student/alumnus for 50 years and never heard of this. Its a bit ridiculous if you ask me.

Not really, it's a nice way to give to future Bulldogs and Bulldog fans. Last year I met a father and uncle of one of the Miami players who had heard about the Dude and wanted to visit. I took them to Brewski's and bought them 10lbs of mudbugs which neither had ever tried. Ironically they were all from California, I stopped by The Lodge on the way back to the stadium and bought both a bell and they were like little kids at Christmas. They bought stickers for their bells and had our some of our players sign them. One contacted me just this week on FB inquiring about the start of the season and he wants to bring a bunch of his buddies for a weekend series. A $20 bell and a little hospitality has made some new fans, it's a pretty good return on investment if you ask me.

 

[RocketDawg]

Bought mine in 1965 in the Union Bookstore, so it's really older than dirt. The most expensive textbook I had while at school was just over $60, and weighed a ton. I believe it was the Advanced Propulsion Systems book. $60 was a LOT of money back then. I think the bell was $3 or $4, but made just like they are now.

 

[RocketDawg]

Every year the Huntsville/Decatur Alumni Association has a "going away" party for entering MSU freshmen from this area. There usually are 80 or 90 kids, so a pretty good representation from north Alabama. Each student gets a cowbell as a gift. And virtually all of them are guess what - going into engineering.