This week, an open letter to the editor was released via the Knoxville News Sentinel, which serves as the primary newspaper for the city of Knoxville, Tennessee and is often read by students here at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
This letter, titled as "Letter: Neyland Stadium is way too noisy," was something I first thought to be a joke. I thought it would be like one of those articles or letters I read on here all the time -- "here" being The Odyssey -- and actually give positive credit to the decibel levels and interferences to opposing teams' play-calling abilities produced at every home game in The Shrine to Tennessee Football.
Instead, and I don't mean to start this off sounding like a punk college kid, even though I will, it was written by a man from Charlotte, Tennessee, named Edward John Boyston, who I assume is a middle-aged, if not older gentleman.
In this letter, Mr. Boyson directs his noise-based frustrations toward the students, the music, and the level of hearing loss in general. He does not appreciate having to yell at someone sitting right next to him during pre game festivities, and apparently, "Third Down For What" just plain ticks him off.
Now, as I stated before, I don't want to sound like what he probably thinks is a rock-blaring teenager ready to throw down this weekend once Tennessee snaps this ugly streak against Florida, but isn't the POINT of an SEC stadium supposed to be that we ARE loud enough that we can't hear ourselves think? This lack of proper and rational thought is what drives us as students and fans to rip off our shirts and scream In exaltation while we screech Rocky Top. (I'll admit that this was a slight exaggeration. We aren't poop-throwing monkeys, and as opposing fans will tell you, we're good sports after the game, win or lose. But during the competiton, craziness must ensue in order for us to win or, Heaven forbid, get on Neyland's giant jumbotron.)
Yes, this is an educational institution. But on Saturdays in the fall, this place becomes an orange-laden nuthouse. And that's the way it should be. In his letter to the News Sentinel, Mr. Boyson criticizes not only the fans but the team as well, saying that if we had won, his response might have been different. Personally, I'm proud of the fans' loudness whether we win or lose. We have the best fan base and the best game day atmosphere in the country, and based on the interviews I heard after the game, our players won't soon forget that.
In conclusion and summation: as a freshman at such a diverse institution as the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, I say respect the tradition, get some earplugs like I've seen some other fine gentlemen do, or watch it at home and miss the jaw-dropping, incredible atmosphere that we bring every week right here on Rocky Top.
Now, as I step off my soapbox, I simply say:
Go Vols. Beat Florida.
And for those of you taking exams like I am this week, Godspeed.