I brought a cowbell to the FIU baseball games yesterday and today, trying to bring enthusiam and excitement to a stadium that usually has a dead atmosphere and crowd that is usually dead silent with n occassional applause (think golf tournaments). Yesterday, I had no problems. Today in the 5th, I was asked by someone who worked in the stadium to stop. Do any of your schools have similar policies? Or is FIU alone in this?

Personally, I find this ridiculous... what happened to letting fans be fans and to express their excitement how they want to? If anything, the school should be PROMOTING anything that brings excitement and life to a stadium that needs it. I will continue bringing my cowbell and if they say anything, I will want an explanation and I will let them know how I feel.

And then FIU wonders why so few students come to support athletics... they need to empower us and encourage us! Not choke our ability to show our support!!

(03-21-2009 05:36 PM)Joel Wrote:  I brought a cowbell to the FIU baseball games yesterday and today, trying to bring enthusiam and excitement to a stadium that usually has a dead atmosphere and crowd that is usually dead silent with n occassional applause (think golf tournaments). Yesterday, I had no problems. Today in the 5th, I was asked by someone who worked in the stadium to stop. Do any of your schools have similar policies? Or is FIU alone in this?

Personally, I find this ridiculous... what happened to letting fans be fans and to express their excitement how they want to? If anything, the school should be PROMOTING anything that brings excitement and life to a stadium that needs it. I will continue bringing my cowbell and if they say anything, I will want an explanation and I will let them know how I feel.

And then FIU wonders why so few students come to support athletics... they need to empower us and encourage us! Not choke our ability to show our support!!

You might have woke someone up from their nap. I know there are times when it seems like the crowds at the Troy games are asleep.

Might want to check and see if it is a conf. policy

(03-21-2009 08:44 PM)statefanatic Wrote:  Might want to check and see if it is a conf. policy

It is a NCAA policy. Some schools enforce it better than others. All FIU is doing is enforcing a rule put in place by the NCAA.

After sitting through the Liberty Bowl with cowbells ringing in my ears, anyone that thinks that is a good idea can go to h--- for being an inconsiderate prick. Sorry man, but being a cheering fan doesn't require an artificial noisemaker.

(03-22-2009 03:24 PM)CitrusUCF Wrote:  After sitting through the Liberty Bowl with cowbells ringing in my ears, anyone that thinks that is a good idea can go to h--- for being an inconsiderate prick. Sorry man, but being a cheering fan doesn't require an artificial noisemaker.

You haven't been to an FIU baseball game... we need cheering of any type.

I don't know why the NCAA seems to be the only sports entity to prohibit artificial noisemakers.

What the NCAA says:

Baseball: Not permitted when the batter is in the box.
Basketball: Not permitted while the game is in progress.
Ice Hockey: Not permitted while the game is in progress.
Lacrosse: Permitted on their team's half of the field.
Soccer: Discretion of the game official
Softball: Not permitted. Bands and recorded music not allowed while ball is in play.
Volleyball: Not permitted. Bands and recorded music not allowed while ball is in play.
Football: Not permitted if it interferes with signals.
Swimming & Diving: No restriction unless it interferes with starter's signals.
Rifle, Track & Field, Skiing, Water Polo, Wrestling: No rule.

NFL: Prohibited
Arena Football: Fined a team $10,000 for passing out cowbells.

thank you very much arkstfan... that seems pretty lenient to me.. it sounds like it's the conferences that make it stricter than what it is.

man i wish they hadn't cancelled the 2009 season for the AFL. I know this is off topic, but I really need my football fix and arena ball is the only thing I have in the spring. damn you american public! if you had payed your loan payments we wouldn't be in the mess!

(03-23-2009 08:35 AM)Trojan Delta Chi Wrote:  man i wish they hadn't cancelled the 2009 season for the AFL. I know this is off topic, but I really need my football fix and arena ball is the only thing I have in the spring. damn you american public! if you had payed your loan payments we wouldn't be in the mess!

AF2 is still playing. I may go watch the Arkansas Twisters season opener this weekend.

Is FIU's football PA Announcer considered an artificial noise maker?

That guy was quite obnoxious, about as bad as WKU's "3rd Down Thunder" guy.

(03-23-2009 08:35 AM)Trojan Delta Chi Wrote:  man i wish they hadn't cancelled the 2009 season for the AFL. I know this is off topic, but I really need my football fix and arena ball is the only thing I have in the spring. damn you american public! if you had payed your loan payments we wouldn't be in the mess!

I'm in the same boat as you.

I live for the only sport that matters.....FOOTBALL. Unlike baseball (which is almost year-round), the season is too darned short and eliminating AFL makes it even shorter.

yeah, i wish the XFL had stuck to real football instead of gimmick ball. They may have been able to make it, and we would have spring football.

USFL could have made it if not for geniuses like Donald Trump who wanted to move to the fall and force a merger.

well there is actually a new pro league opening up this fall. the UFL. it will play games on thursday and friday nights. now, while this will not interfere with NFL games, it WILL interfere with ESPN's late week college games. there is also a spring league that is trying to get going called the UNGL. Troy's Omar Haugabook was brought in to start for the Birmingham team. I don't know if this league will ever get going, but I hope it does.