Should Dr. Blue figure out a way to bring back the classic playoff Cow Bells? The steam engine, cow bells, and Fall weather added a special feeling to Toomey. We could even have 5 or 10 designated alums who promise to follow strict criteria - ie no launching them at the opponents, no assault by cow bell.
I'm sure they also add flavor to a television broadcast as well.
Should the campus allow Cow Bells for the Playoffs? (26 votes)
Random fans brought in ... Cow Bells! A metal cow bell, maybe 6" x 6".
They would randomly clang them along with fan noise ... but especially when Toomey was rocking. They have a unique sound, and can be loud. It added a fun element.
Edit: Fun little summary here of the cow bell history at Mississippi State. They claim you can FEEL them! FUN!!!
I really miss the steam engine, too. The Antique Mechanics Club had a great ancient steam engine (not a tractor) with a big, loud whistle that was parked near the southwest corner of Toomey. They would heat the boiler, make steam, and blow the whistle when the Aggies scored. The engine has not been seen in years. In fact, I think it disappeared when the Aggies moved up to D-1AA, presumably because the powers-that-be felt the engine anchored the Aggies a bit too firmly in their Ag School past.
If you win, people let you do almost anything. Bring back the steam engine!
There is a problem.. . at some point paper pushers banned them, maybe around the same time food was banned. ... hence the need for Blue or someone to un-ban them, or give a temporary reprieve.
Don't know if it is the same engine, but years ago there was one in the Picnic Day parade. Had wood bolted to the metal wheels to keep them from tearing up the street. Between the ag school, engineering school and a lot of farmers in the area*, you'd think someone could keep it operating.
And if as expected, we host UNI, it should be appreciated by at least some of their fans.
*Is there still an antique truck museum in Woodland?
Anything is better than the corny first down noises other teams play (e.g. EWU with the screech, SJSU a while back with the THIS IS SPARTA). Anything generated in real time is always 1000x cooler
I remember how the steam engine used to shake and shudder and leak steam from many of the couplings. I always felt a little uneasy being near it wondering if something could go wrong and it would explode! I think it may have been banned for potential safety concerns.
During that same era remember the guy who shot off a sky rocket after each TD? My seats were on the 50 on the east side. He sat behind me. The police always tried to ID him but he was too slick to get caught.
why do you say the steam engine wasn’t a tractor? It was a self propelled vehicle not requiring a track, driven by big wheels. I think it was a tractor, an early Bio-Mass propelled tractor.
None of those are THE historic steam engine. I don’t think old steam engines blow up like a bomb; maybe leak a lot of steam out of a failed valve, but no explosion. Bring her out and put some caution tape around it and light her up! If in doubt get a 1 day catastrophic insurance policy to cover the risk. Maybe the later would need the Regents approval, so forget that. But first we have to find her!
I found a list of Case steam engines, one listed at UC Davis, 45 HP. No year listed.
www.steel-wheels.net/nasteamcase.html
It is listed as a portable engine and not a steam tractor, Case made both.