Attempting to retrieve the cowbell

[Jordan 04]

The same double-standard applied regarding re-entry into the rink between periods.  I wanted to step outside for a minute between one of the period breaks of Sunday's game, but at the bottom of the escalator was prompty told I could no go anywhere, or I would be denied entry back into the rink.

I squeezed (like blood out of a stone) some "generosity" out of the rink security kid, and was allowed to wander around the lobby behind him while making a phone call.  I asked him to make sure the dozen or so Minnesota fans outside for a smoke or just to chat were not going to be let in, because as I had been told so sternly, there was no re-entry.  "Well, I'm certainly not going to let them in...[but if they go to the other escalator], I can't really do anything then."  The whole time I was on the phone in the lobby area, the kid was hilariously uncomfortable, knowing I was standing there watching while there was obviously no way he was going to deny re-entry to anybody outside.

Sure enough, back in came the fans.  Without any questions asked.  I got of the phone, and headed back to my seat.  I told the kid I had absolutely no problem if he let everyone back in who was outside for a smoke.  No reason they shouldn't get back in.  Just please don't bullshit me because I've got a red sweatshirt on.

Seems like a bit of a patter at the Mooch...

[Rob NH]

[Q]jtwcornell91 Wrote: Is it safe to assume that the cowbell was played without incident in Buffalo and Providence in 2003 and in Albany in 2002?[/q]
I remember even hearing it during the UNH - Minnesota game in Buffalo, so it is probably safe to say you are correct.

[CowbellGuy]

No problems at Buffalo (other than a very large expanse), no problems at Providence or any other ECAC, nonconference or NCAA event in the last 6 years or so.

[Rob NH]

[Q]CowbellGuy Wrote:

 No problems at Buffalo (other than a very large expanse), no problems at Providence or any other ECAC, nonconference or NCAA event in the last 6 years or so.[/q]
Maybe not ending up in Amherst was for the best after all, the UNH fans weren't allowed to bring their cowbell in to the Mullins for the regional. During a regular season game there in Feb. the head guy came over and told us we had to stop during the 2nd period, the irony is that he used to be the boss at the Whittemore Center (@ UNH). Apparently someone in our athletic department called up the Mullins staff about bringing it for the regional and they were politely told "no".

[abmarks]

It seems to me that the administrative hacks are   working way to hard to sucj the fun out of the game.  What's next? no bands?  ROck musiic piped in instead?  Piped in clapping noise?  Oh wait, that's suspiciously like Vermont now....

[RichH]

OK, I made up a story in my head that could explain the authoritative obsession with seizing the cowbell.  It came to me in watching the video of the OSU game.  It wasn't so obvious to me while I was there due to my focus and other ambient noise, but tOSU's cowbell was being beaten almost *constantly* during play...a big NCAA no-no. The way it went in my head...Some official, either NCAA or Mariucci official, with about 1000 other things to do may have directed a subordinate to "go get that freaking bell out of here!" without being specific.  That order could've filtered down through the ranks of arena security...until some low-level usher in our section saw Age do the cowbell in the 3rd period (or one clank during NCFS).  One did come down and asked for the bell, Age refused, and the cops were summoned to execute the directive.  

Perhaps meetings were held that night to review any "issues" security had, and the cowbell was brought up, they now had a target to look for on Sunday to ensure it wasn't repeated.

It's just a theory, mind you.  I've convinced myself in watching the game tape that if OSU hadn't been pounding their cowbell during play, we wouldn't have had such an issue.  Or such amazing stories to tell.  :-)

[Jeff Hopkins '82]

As opposed to Minnesota where they piped their band over the loudspeakers?   ::nut::

[RichS]

[Q]Jordan 04 Wrote:

 

Sure enough, back in came the fans.  Without any questions asked.  I got of the phone, and headed back to my seat.  I told the kid I had absolutely no problem if he let everyone back in who was outside for a smoke.  No reason they shouldn't get back in.  Just please don't bullshit me because I've got a red sweatshirt on.

Seems like a bit of a patter at the Mooch...[/q]

Or at Lynah when a Green and Gold-clad Clarkson fan gets harrassed by security.  

:-}

and yes, I'm in favor of cowbells!

[DeltaOne81]

Trust me Rich, that has little to do with green & gold. The ushers are Lynah have a superiority complex and harrass everyone.

[RichS]

I'll take your word for it re the complex but it seems odd  (?) that they harassed Clarkson fans a lot more than red fans sitting in the same section and exhibiting the same behavior.

[DeltaOne81]

Well, okay, maybe it's a dual complex - one for visiting fans and one for students. They probably don't harass older locals, cause heaven forbid it happened to be a Prof. So there's biases, but its not necessary a visitor thing, its just anyone who can't retaliate much - young or non-local.

[Trotsky]

I take less and less heat every year.  I don't *think* I'm getting more polite.

[Jerseygirl]

Oh my God. I didn't think it was possible, but reading this thread makes me hate people even more than I already do.

[Jeff Hopkins '82]

Rich, our ushers have a profanity complex.  If you used one word stronger than "sucks" they'd be all over your ass.  I wouldn't completely rule out bias against someone in green and gold, but it's also possible that the Cornell fans in section O knew what the hot buttons were for the "Seating Nazis" and didn't push them.

[Rob NH]

[Q]Jeff Hopkins '82 Wrote:

 As opposed to Minnesota where they piped their band over the loudspeakers?    [/q]
In Amherst they piped in a CD version of the Harvard fight song, try and find something lamer than that.