I recognize change comes. I recognize that the players and recruits may prefer a more NFL-like atmosphere. I don’t mind the music so much. I don’t mind the pre-game and pre-fourth montages (that double as advertisements). I do, however, have two major complaints: (1) those “ribbon” displays at the bottoms of the upper decks are a serious distraction, since they fall squarely within my line of vision when I’m trying to take in what’s on the field — their displays should be muted except for time-outs, so all that flashing isn’t going on when I’m trying to pay attention to the field; and (2) the post-victory video display of Hairy Dawg ringing the Chapel bell needs to go — they’ve shortened it considerably in the last couple of years so there’s less of it playing over the Redcoat’s post-game concert, but the actual ringing of the actual bell in real time just up the hill is a great tradition best expressed by the act itself and not a video representation of it. I mean, really? That pre-taped nonsense is like saying, “Look at us! We have a tradition!” Next Independence Day, let’s just skip fireworks everywhere and play videos of them on big screens. Take your kids trick-or-treating via email. If you want the true game-day experience delivered to you electronically, stay at home with your television.

seconded. I am glad to know that bugs someone else.

. . . and I believe there is a happy medium of using amplified recorded music to augment the Redcoats, as long as they do not drown out the band. We do this very well before the game, when the “Battle Hymn” soloist precedes the undeniably effective scoreboard montage. One segues into the other, but neither interferes with the other.

NCT’s example of the artificial bell ringing is a good one, as it unnecessarily intrudes upon a longstanding game day tradition while adding nothing of value. That, in my mind, is quite distinct from the Soulja Boy music (sans lyrics) from the 2007 season (particularly during the Ole Miss and Auburn games), as this music was played at a time that did not conflict with the Redcoats’ performance of their duties. There are times when the band is silent, and these times can be put to use. These can complement, rather than conflict with, one another; unquestionably, the crowd and the team were fired up by this particular use of a piped-in popular recording, which took nothing away from the band.

Vinings Dog, you make your points well when you are using your own words, but the Michigan man you quoted did not help your case. I am sorry that this delicate soul got the vapors and swooned at the “nightmarish hellscape” of what he called “a giant NASCAR toilet of an event held in the worst neighborhood in Orlando” and his alma mater calls the Big Ten’s second-best bowl tie-in.

When Big Ten fans of his stripe use the term “NASCAR” in a conversation unrelated to the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, they are using loaded code every bit as much so as broadcasters do when they sidestep making explicit reference to race by using such phrases as “possession-type receiver,” “mobile quarterback,” “traditional drop-back passer,” and “team speed.” “NASCAR” is a particularly snide sort of northerner’s way of saying how stupid he thinks Southerners are, and every subsequent instance of ludicrous hyperbole (and they were legion) employed by that gentleman undermined his point still more.

Thankfully, Vinings Dog, you did not follow his lead. (Your lone bit of exaggeration—-the “tractor pull” line—-was recanted and corrected when it was brought to your attention, which is to your credit.) I point that out simply to say, you made reasonable points in a reasonable manner in your own words. Don’t rely on quoting folks who are neither as articulate nor as sensible as you are when making a point you are able to make exceptionally well on your own.

Ya’ll should do that again….:)