Should Fum's Song be censored?
That was supposed to change last season. The athletic department decided to resurrect a video of a rally cry originally made and performed by the late Thurman "Fum" McGraw, a former three-sport All-American and athletic director for the Rammies. The video worked to perfection. Drunken college students giddily sang along with equally enthusiastic middle-aged alumni as they pumped up the football team between the third and fourth quarters of every home game. Players were happy, fans were happy, alumni were happy, everyone was happy. Apparently, somewhere in the bowels of the Fum McGraw athletic offices during the offseason, a group of sports officials decided that after a one-year revival, "Fum's Song" would no longer be shown on the big screen. The song, which refers to Colorado College as "sissy boys" and students at Colorado School of Mines as "drunkards" apparently went against CSU's goal of a family-friendly atmosphere at games. The closing line -- "Before I see my son in Boulder, I'd see my son in hell" -- was not a favorite of the athletic department. Apparently, old men are not allowed to say "sissies" on the big screen, but it is fine for college students to chant obscenities. This is where the story takes a weird turn. The athletic department decided not to tell anyone about their decision to cut "Fum's Song." However, the word did leak down to football players who were pretty pissed at the decision. Running back Kyle Bell, last seen averaging more than 100 yards per game during his sophomore season, wanted to get the news out in the best avenue he knew: Facebook. As fast as you can say "politically correct," a movement began. On Saturday night, Bell started a group called "They banned Fum's Song at football games ... screw it, we'll sing it anyway." By Sunday night, the group had 600 members and rising, while Ram alumni and boosters started hearing the rumors on Ramnation.com, an unofficial fan site. By Tuesday, the student government had called an emergency session. An online petition for reinstatement of the song attracted 800 signatures, and almost every student on campus was mobilizing. Gary Ozzello, the athletic department's media relations director, said that some opposition to the demise of Fum's Song was expected, but the school had simply decided to go in another direction and that similar decisions are made throughout the year. His response is not good enough for most students, who do not understand the removal of a song that had offended only a handful of people. Bell did not expect to lead a mini-revolution, but he feels that the song has value because it really does get the football team pumped up. "It's a school pride thing," he says. "When we are standing out there on the field between the third and fourth quarter, it's an adrenaline boost. It brings a kind of energy back to the game." As of Tuesday afternoon, the Facebook revolution was rolling like a snowball down a Colorado slope. T-shirts with FUM U on the front and the song's lyrics on the back are being made. Flyers are being printed in hope of making the song a permanent tradition, but Ozello said that he didn't think it would be played this season on the scoreboard. CSU is known nationally for two things: a pretty good football program led by head coach Sonny Lubick and drinking. Party pooping has apparently been added to that illustrious list. This story was written By Mike Donovan, a junior at Colorado State. Is Fum's Song offensive? Read the lyrics below and give us your two cents. FUM'S SONG I'll sing you a song of college days And tell you where to go Aggies' where knowledge is, Boulder spends your dough. C.C. for your sissy boys, Utah for your times, D.U. for your ministers, For drunkards, School of Mines Don't send my boy to Wyoming U., A dying mother said; Don't send my boy to Brigham Young, I'd rather see him dead, But send him to the ole Aggies, 'Tis better than Cornell, Before I'd see him in Boulder, I'd see my son in Hell! Comments:To answer the question. Heck No! That is a great song for CSU and nobody should change a word. That song is in the great tradition of college songs. It's unique, rowsing and good for morale.
Anybody who doesn't like it, doesn't have to go to games, watch games or listen to them on the radio. They can also compose and sing their own rebuttal. As an alumnus of one of the schools mentioned, Mines, I am not offended. I get the slams against yearly regional rivals...but Cornell??? What did they ever do to CSU? The only reason that Cornell made it into Fum's song was for its important contribution as a rhyme scheme set up for "hell."
This is a great college tradition that brings together fans. This type of activity is what separates college football from the pros. I can't believe why the school would stop it.
Of course this song shouldn't be censored. It's yet another move from out-of-touch administration that wants more 6 year olds enjoying the games in the student section. It's a fun song. Keep it, enjoy it, don't be afraid of offending the parents. This coming from a Longhorn that chants every Texas score: "Give 'em hell, give 'em hell, make 'em eat s***!" Good clean fun is what I say.
Go Fum U. ban the people who don't like the song from attending home games. In fact make them attend CC games, adn cahnt the revised song.
Since when have we let the administration dictate terms to the student body? If I went to CSU they would have pry the music to this song from my cold dead hands. BTW, what kind of buck tooth mouth breathers do they have running their athletic department? There are schools that would absolutely kill to have fan support like this!
-Rod Taylor-Wisconsin '72 "The song is certainly not appropriate and really not very funny. Many times our youth can rally around some of the silliest things and the media, like SI, decides to tag along. If this song is so important to Kyle Bell's ability to get pumped in a game then the football played in Fort Collins must be pretty boring. In the scheme of editor choices, this article should not have been written."
As a student in a school who has had a song banned (University of Maryland), I can tell you that this will not work if the student section is motivated. Here they banned the band from playing Rock and Roll Part II, and we keep on singing it ourselves. Sing on students, show your might!
That song is pathetic. As always, CSU is behind the times and struggling to make itself relevant.
Let them sing whatever they want on September 9th . . . Buffalo, Buffalo, Go CU!!! Apparently a silly, poorly written song is the only thing CSU/Ft. Collins fans have to get excited about. It certainly doesn't say much for their football program
I'm ana alumni, and I say go for it. I always had a good time, drunk at games, and that was and still is 27 years later CSE. Get over it, and have a good time.
Who let their mom post this comment:
Anonymous said... "The song is certainly not appropriate and really not very funny. Many times our youth can rally around some of the silliest things and the media, like SI, decides to tag along. If this song is so important to Kyle Bell's ability to get pumped in a game then the football played in Fort Collins must be pretty boring. In the scheme of editor choices, this article should not have been written." 3:23 PM O by the way, Fort Collins was rated the best city to live in, wherever you live, its has to a little more boring then the FC:) Rhoda,
The reference to Cornell is because of the Veterinarian School. CSU and Cornell go back and forth as to which school is #1 for Veterinarian Medicine. The NCAA is stupid and colleges / universities abet it. The song is fine. Ole Miss' mascot & their Confederate Flag is fine. We've become a nation of crybabies and sissies. While we're at it, the ridiculous stance of the NCAA regarding South Carolina flying a soldier's flag at a soldier's monument is stupid. Thank God for pro wrestling. At least we know it's fake...just as fake as the supposed "offense" that academia fixates on these days. Go Bucks.
Mike Columbus, OH The Anonymous (see coward) person who just said "The song is certainly not appropriate and really not very funny" shows the same traits that has strangled this country's political process. We have to stop trying to control what others do so much and just enjoy life a little bit. Our "leaders" in all walks of life are becoming too controling!
Anyway, everyone knows you can offend someone, they have to let themselves BE offended! Sing it loud and proud, CSU fans! Just another case of over control. We have regressed in so many ways, and this is no exception. When are we going to quit being so stiff, and allow people to express themselves. Another case where pc has taken over, and will continue until we say enough. Great song btw
I don't feel the Athletic Department realized how much the fans appreciated this. It started last year as a regular football game tradition. "A couple dozen" detractors and they gave in. This song goes back to before CSU was CSU. I am a person that bleeds green and gold and will be singing it regardless.
who in their right mind would ban such a fun song to sing? i wish my school, (univ. calif riverside) had such a song to make people actually go to the games to sing it.
Yet another University Administrator who doesn't get it. Tradition and Rivalry is what makes college football so special. Not a "family friendly atmosphere" - that is why Chuck-E-Cheese was created.
Even as a BYU alumni, I think this is a great song. Let them sing it. It probably motivates them, and for my fighting cougers, they'll probably get fired up hearing it too!
Can't be worse than what our kids listen to on MTV,these words are cleaner. Keep it going
The song is fine, it just shouldn't be an official song that is promoted by the university. There are all kinds of unofficial songs of similar levels of insult, even another one that mocks my alma mater, Cornell (Far above Cayuga's waters, there's an awful smell... Could it be Cayuga's water or could it be...). Well you get the idea. I don't know any Cornellians who are overly offended by the song, but then again no university administrations formally endorse it.
Let the kids have their fun. Sure its a silly song, but that's part of college life. Let the kids be silly. Let them have fun. Let them get pumped up for games.
Wow, this is great. Students at CSU should sing it anyway. I am sure the CU administration loves it when CU students chant, "F&@! 'em up! F&@! 'em up! Go CU!" but they do it anyway. I hate it when politcal correctness goes haywire. Go Buffs!
Poor sports journalism....
or poor sports songs....... trash is trash From some of the comments from boulder-dwellers that you see on this page, you can now probably understand why the last line of the song states that before I'll see my son in boulder, I'll see my son in hell.
Come on! With all the political correctness in the world! GET REAL!
Go FUM U and CSU! SING....SING....SING.......till it stings in Boulder, Wyoming, Utah, and everywhere the Rams used to play and still play! Have some fun! Who cares what Colo State fans want to sing or don't want to sing? If they are smart, they can sing it without reading the words in a jumbotron.
I don't mind the song, yet surprise myself at wasting time reading about and writing here. Good luck to them, but better luck to the University of Colorado. Why take ANYTHING from these poor fans. Havent they suffered enough?! They havent beaten a top 25 team since 2002. If I had to cheer through a 6-6 record in the MWC, I'd need something much stronger than a song! Have some pity!
i'd never heard of that song, or that tradition, but after reading the lyrics, there is no question in my mind banning it is the inappropriate idea.
The song is great, energy would rise when it was played last year! I only wish they would have played it at Mile high this year. People that are concerned with this stuff should take a look around the world these days and keep this in perspective.
Hey CU panty wearers we will be singing our song and you will be crying in your chardonnay Sept 9th. Go Rams!!! Why are we acting as if people in America really care if they sing a song a CSU?
This is what we pick to complain and spend time on. I just hope that the lyrics are a true representation of the colleges. HA. Sing the happy song! I’m a 2004 CSU grad. and I think if I did not know any better this is some PC crap straight out of boulder! When will CSU learn that the students and the Alumni need to come first. If they want people to come to the game and buy season tickets they need to have some traditions and most importantly let them have fun!!!
Brandon- Denver Like many college traditions, this one is silly and outdated, which makes it the perfect thing for bored undergrads to rant about: "Tell us 'No!'? Hah! We'll protest!" We all did it. Get over it. Of course, this may have started a new conspiracy theory, too: Maybe Kyle Bell's torn ACL was no accident... Maybe the administration had him whacked! Call Mulder & Scully: The truth is out there! Call it "The Fum Files"...
that song is hilarious
Of course this should not be censored. This is just another instance of the "polictically correct" view being used to eliminate anything that may be percieved as offensive. People in this country and should just grow up, and a lot of these items that those in the PC crowd consider offensive would not be based on good old fashioned common sense.
the CSU heads need to lighten up. thats an original, funny song and if the fans want to sing it, let it play. if colorado college or buff fans are offended, make up your own song. I am now more of a rams fan than before and hope the song is revitalized, again.
After reading those lyrics, I wouldn't say I'm offended by any means. I don't find it very clever or humorous in any way, but it does seem harmless. Just your average (actually, maybe even below average) stupid spirit song. Nothing to get worked up over.
Where's Hollywood when you need them. Make a movie about it. Screw the people who are offended, it's free speech.
To understand this song, you have to envision a passionate 70+ year old Fum singing it to the players in the locker room. A slightly stooped posture and a crackly proud voice fired by several decades as a CSU fan. This song is a tribute to a community leader, a CSU donor, and a role-model alumnus.
as part of the current student body, and a member of the student government, i am thrilled to see SI printing something on us that doesn't make us out to be a "drinking town with a college problem", as the last article about CSU said after a student had died of alcohol poisening. The students are rallying, and we will sing the song anyway, and the student government did NOT call an emergency session, we had emergency legislation. Even if the song is not reinstated by the institution the tradition of it will never die because students will not allow it.
and for those Buff fans, we're gonna kick your ass this year. We're favored by 7 points. =) thank you again for your article, as a senior at CSU i appreciate it greatly. I love this song. It sounds like a great song to sing while being drunk in the stands, which is what most college students are by the time they get to the games. Anyway I think that if the football players get pumped up listening to it then they definately should keep singing it even if its not on the big screen.
I live in wyoming and am and always will be a Big Red fan.Years ago we suffered through the worst abuse at CU when we played there. If it upsets Ralphie and Boulder I say go for it kids. Enjoy your college tradition and give em hell.
Life is about values. Is it in your best interest to win games while disrespecting your opponents? Sure, you can win games but you will lose more friends gain much more enemies.
Remember the Demark cartoon that caues riots around the globe. That is a result of indecent communication. Think again before you promote anything on a large scale. -PL from S.D. The song was a "Farmhouse"- Ag Fraternity song back to the Old Skyline Conference Schools in the 1930’s & 40’s. There actually is a lot of sound historic fact to references made about the schools.
Colorado College was and still is a private "prep" school, city boys and "CC" = Cissy boys. Kids not quite as tough, middle class, or off the farm. Utah for your times. Utah was and is as big as ucb. But the long train road trip to Salt Lake was a great time going and sometimes even wilder if the team won on the way back. DU for its ministers ... the Illif school of theology was known more as a Methodist Seminary until it dropped football in the late 50's and focused on hockey. For Drunkards =Mines. While many college towns were "DRY" even after prohibition Golden with it's famous Rocky Mountain Spring Water wasn't. Always a great academic school it was accepted that folks didn't send their sons in the 30's and 40's to attend church, many worked at Coors for summer jobs. OH NO not WYO!! No self respecting Aggie (Ram) mother would send their child off to the frozen tundra, short growing season, 1 half of the longest continuous interstate rivalry west of the Mississippi,to LaRAMie ...decrying such a possibility in her last breath. Utah State as the area's other major Land Grant School in the region for forestry, engineering, and ag thus a bitter academic rival "better dead than blue" in those days. But later versions of the song and the one shown on the big screen at Hughes Fum sang (after then #3 Arizona victory in Tucson ‘94) "ol' BYU I'd rather see him dead!" Just send him to the Aggies its better than Cornell = amongst peer institutions it's generally recognized that Colorado State is the Greatest Veterinary Medicine school in the nation with Cornell a close second. So Rhonda there actually was and is a reason for the Cornell reference. In term of the references in the beginning and end of the song towards the school in Bedrock… In 1990 when US West selected Broomfield as the site for it's "Center for Artificial Intelligence" (13 western states bid on it with some 26 sites) then CEO McLeod said Colorado won the bid because of its 2 premier research institutions; he was quoted, "Cu can provide the ARTIFICIAL and CSU can provide the INTELLIGENCE!" Even their graduates are dyslexic the school is University of Colorado =uc not cu = Colorado university? It may not be home to the devil; but Sodom and Gomorrah got nothing on that town! CU has had so man problems, does it really matter. they are a washed up team that is way past their prime, and singing a stupid song is all they have left. just let them sing.
chants and songs are part of what make college football and college rivalries so GREAT! If they ban this song whats next? No more " we Are... PennState!"?! like jeff said dont listen to it if u dont like it.
P.S. Go PennState! P.S.S. Good luck robinson! Hell, I graduated from BU in May, and if you've ever come to Boston to watch college hockey, you've heard far nastier language than that. I mean, we chant "f--- 'em up, f--- 'em up, BC sucks!" to BC and "The wheels on your house go round and round" to UMass, and that's just the stuff you can print.
Is it politically correct? Of course not! But, honestly, any student who hears his or her school being taunted during a SPORTS game and thinks, "Wow, that really hurt my feelings!" has severe issues that go far beyond this. And to the person who found it childish that the players get pumped up, I ask you: Have you EVER played a game with fans around? There's nothing that gives you that adrenaline boost like hearing people say insane things to support you. There's a simple answer, really. You want to stop your rival from taunting you? Go into their stadium and beat the crap out of them on the field/court/whatever, and it shuts the stands up pretty quickly. This isn't preschool, folks; people get mocked in the real world until they earn respect. If you can't beat them and you get ridiculed, you smile and work that much harder to beat them the next time. As an ex CU student, and an ex-Ft.Collins resident of many years, I think the song is GREAT! The only offense is in the sickening way our country is losing it's freedom to political correctness (as long as it meets THEIR agenda!).
Sing loud and sing proud Ram fans! I will too when Glory, Glory Colorado is played! I am so sick of political correctness, you are college students, sing loud and have fun!!!
It should not be censored. I'd rather see my son in Hell than in Boulder. Hey CU FANS...can't wait till you come to Memorial Stadium on Nov. 24 Hopefully you remember what we did to y'all last year, because this year it will be 100 times worse.
GO HUSKERS! This song is pretty stupid, but as a current CU Boulder student, I can say that I am not offended. It makes me laugh to see that this is the extent of political movements at CSU. Today, FUM; tomorrow, the world. Or not...
It is this arrogance that made me leave the CSU community.
Let them sing the song.
You won't find a finer example of "the few" trying to impose their views/beliefs upon the masses. Nothing makes me more cross than this issue. Democracy is the bedrock of this great nation. We (the majority) determine what's best for us. Not "the few". But it doesn't happen without action! Right, wrong, or indifferent. We win together, we lose together!
Besides, it's one of the more conservative fight-song's I've heard. As said in previous comments...if they don't like it, they don't have to attend the games! I'm sure there's fans out there who would be glad to fill those empty seats, and join in singing FUM's song! I applaude the CSU student body for standing up and fighting for what they believe. As a BYU grad, I say keep on singing. Songs, cheers, and such are the best part of college football in my opinion. I can relate to stupid administrators. I come from, after all, the school that banned Boy George albums from its bookstore in the early 80s and outlawed shirtless, body-painted fans from its stadium.
Campus Administration PC run amok. It's getting out of hand. CSU students should take a stand.
Leave the song as is, it's funny as hell. Go CSU, except when you play CU.
A. Anderson Phx, Az CU '90 If any of you have attended a University of Michigan hockey game you would have hear a nice chant that goes something like this - "Hey Goalie...your mom called, she says YOU SUCK!" Now that is tradition. Go Blue!
I think CSU should keep it...I think it is quite funny. Also, Tennessee's fight song spends the whole time talking about making moonshine, but I don't see anyone in Knoxville making any efforts to change those words. Or, Ole Miss and their "Hotty Totty" chant with their curse words. I think songs like this are what make college sports better than professional sports.
This isn't even that controversial of a song! I have heard much worse college songs than this. The people who banned it should be ashamed of themselves and proud that their students aren't singing about how wasted they are like most other school's songs are.
The best way to get a CU grad off your porch? Pay him for the Pizza.
With such a gutless, limp-wristed Athletic Director it's no wonder CSU continues to be a sub-par D1 team in a mid-major conference. USC, Ohio St., and Texas have never systematically silenced their own student sections and look where that got them...
The ignorant CU fan who posted this can't even get their own cheer right.
"That song is pathetic. As always, CSU is behind the times and struggling to make itself relevant. Let them sing whatever they want on September 9th . . .Buffalo, Buffalo, Go CU!!!" I have a sister and a brother who go there and I believe your students chant "F**k em up F**k em up, Go CU." Atleast here at CSU, we are intelegent enough not to resort to swearing in our cheers. . . Let the song stay! CU is just jealous because they probably have a really lame tradition. We'll sing the song and we'll win on September 9th.
Dirty hippies... If it works for the students and players why change it? We are so quick to be politically correct that we lose sight of the fact that a song is just a song and if it offends you, tune it out or ignore it. Pleasing everyone is not possible. Administrators should listen sometimes to the students and alumni. If the older people (I'm 64 ) cant have fun with it shame on them.
"Almost every school has one shining tradition that is identified by the entire country...At Colorado State University, there is nothing."
That sums it up. Keep your weak song, Aggies--it's all you've got. The banning of 'Fum's Song' is yet additional proof that the clear majority of today's university bureaucrats and Liberal Arts professors should be locked in padded rooms.
As to Cornell - it is more than rhyme. Cornell is in origin an Ag school. Save for the distance, it makes as much sense being there as Texas A&M or Kansas State. Hey, this is on a par with the New Mexico State fight song -- "we'll drink 'til we wobble in our shoes!!" BTW, who are the three bare chested girls in your pic?
First, Michigan State University has the best vet school.
I have been out here a month (from Lansing, MI) and this is a big deal! I had never heard of the song until its banning. I will sing it! The song is much better than profanities yelled by the morons at games in Ann Arbor. Robert MSU '86 Fort Collins The fans should continue to sing their song. A couple of old guys in suits shouldn't dictate what can and can't be done in games. The fans and the atmosphere are what make college football so much better than the NFL.
Old guys in suits aren't gonna stop me from calling Florida v Georgia 'The Cocktail Party", they aren't gonna stop me from calling Texas v Oklahoma 'The Red River Shootout', so they shouldn't stop CSU fans from singing their songs. Well done Kyle Bell! Maybe he could lead the singing from the stands now that he's out for the year?! A team that gives up 51 points to Navy in a bowl game needs to change more than their song.
Dear CSU Fans,
This is insane. You guys should be able to play this. Just sing it anyway!!! - LSU Fan, Jeremy If Colorado really finds this song offensive they are sissy boys anyway.
It is a great song.
Of course the politically correct idiots are concerned. Have they heard the words to the songs sung at CU? Some of these PC people really, really need a life. I am not offended by the words at all.
Do any of these PC people really have a life? Even my mother and father would have smiled at the words. Listen to the words at other schools, such as CU, and judge for yourself. For all the Politically Correct people out there. GET A LIFE. I would just like to say that I and sick and tired of the good men and womwen of this country dying to defend freedoms that are getting taken away from us each and every day. This song along with other harmless freedoms are slowly getting taken away from us. How can we express ourselves? This is a democracy, right?
This song drew a .1 on my offensive richter scale. Anyone that is offended needs to stop sucking their thumb and realize that worse things are heard driving down the expressway.
There's nothing offensive about this song, and the contreversy surrounding it is just kind of pathetic. Political correctness is getting out of hand, I'm sorry but calling another school 'sissies' isn't that big of a deal. I hope the students keep the song alive and it becomes more of a part of school culture than ever before.
Just because a song is "traditional" or a part of the norm doesn't mean it is right. Slavery and segregation were once "the norm," yet immoral and wrong. Language is an indicator of progress, and to sing a song like this illustrates the extent of cultural insensitivity, lack of intelligence and realm of immaturity among CSU fans (and other colleges with similar tunes). If you're not offended, you're not paying attention.
College football can be fun and competitive without the overt language that makes it racist and classist. Those who support this have little "class," character, and are not the role models I want my kids to be surrounded by, and I'm writing from the gritty, tough, segregated, poor borough of Brooklyn, New York. As usual the CSU Administration is more concerned about ticket sales than school spitit. They need to get over it.
Most of the ACC sings "Piss on Carolina" to the UNC fight song and it has words much worse than "sissy boys", e.g. "bastards" and "SOBs" Give me a break. This is a great song. They should sing it loudly and proudly. Hell, my own brother went to CU Boulder, and he thinks it is a great song. That is what college sports are all about.
Anonymous said...
"The song is certainly not appropriate and really not very funny. Many times our youth can rally around some of the silliest things and the media, like SI, decides to tag along. If this song is so important to Kyle Bell's ability to get pumped in a game then the football played in Fort Collins must be pretty boring. In the scheme of editor choices, this article should not have been written." First off, no one got hurt, no one is bleeding or offended to the point whereas they cant continue living comfortably. So why is this song, not appropriate? What's wrong? College hype and spirit derives from rivalry and revelry. Second, SI didn't tag along. It's a college SPORTS STORY!!! I went to Michigan State University, what do you think goes on between Michigan and MSU? It's all good. There are no predjudice references, it's all in good fun. Only CSU students would be singing a song like this, thats all i have to say...
There was talk a few years back about banning Rammer Jammer at Bama games (they still haven't brought it back to pregame) because of the word "hell" in it. It went nowhere because of student and alumni opposition, so keep it up CSU and I hope you get your way!
Can anyone say freedom of speach.
It's a song for crying out loud. This is a comment not based on any team in particular; in fact it's unbiased. If the home team band or students want to play or sing any song they like, it's their right. If it pumps up the crowd...the fans...and the team... I say go for it!!! That's called HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE.
People go to a game to feel the atmosphere...otherwise you could just sit at home and watch the game on TV. The schools mentioned in the song are irrelevent for the home crowd, it's just makes a good song. Leave it at that and just attribute it to what's supposed to be in all athletic sports...comptetition and FUN!!! Although I am a little hurt that Wyoming is in that song and I am a big Wyoming fan. What hurts more is the college's decision to ban the song. From the way it sounds that song brought in people, and people = money. So CSU should take a look at how much they are losing from banning this song.
I say keep on singin' - anyone who's offended by being called a "sissy boy" probably deserves the title. As for the CU fan who thinks the song is "pathetic": what's truly "pathetic" is having to pay your former football coach a million dollars to leave the program. - proud CSU alum
If the CSU officals wanted to guarantee the popularity and use of Fum's Song they couldn't have done a better job. They're not that smart are they?
CSU fans cant remember that long of a song. The banned it because they didnt want their sachool to look even more stupid.
No!. I too am an alum of one of the schools (BYU) and I say let 'em sing it! I don't care what people think / say about my college. At the very least it will show how ignorant and stupid Ram fans are.
Besides, with a football team that bad, the only thing you can do to get butts in the seats is to encourage drunk morons to sing a silly song. Somebody need to just get a job and worry about something important.
I dont see what the big deal about the song is. It's better than Ohio State's 'I dont give a damn about the whole state of Michigan'.
I just don't get it, here at A&M we rag on t.u. What's the big deal with schools ragging other schools -- much less, a rival?
This is America correct? Where we have the freedom of speech and the freedom of assembly? This is the game of football where rivalrys are bitter and passion fuels both players and fans. If I am right in my assesment then ther is no "real" logic for banning the song. It is a rally cry a tool used to play mind games with opponents, to encourage the home team, and to create a loud and supportive crowd. If you want to see what football looks like without this element of the game, go see a C.C. game, and take a red bull cause it's hard to stay awake!
It sounds like the athletic department has nothing else better to do then concentrate on banning a song that is obviously popular with the college students, and if gets them pumped up so be it. They should be happy it’s not one of the obscene rap songs that has the f word in every other sentence, for if it was then yeah I could see that being a concern, but I see no harm in singing that song!!! I think the team and it’s fans who like singing have the right to be angry and should sing it anyways ;)
I am a Wyoming alum and I think the song is funny. Lighten up CSU administration. This is a lot cleaner than some of the chants we did at Wyoming
Witty, fun, and simple to remember. C'mon protesters, give it a break. Let the fans cut lose a little...nothing like some tradition that unifies the stands!
"Heck No!" is right! I'm an Alabama alum and have no dog in this fight, and I think that they should keep it. You can, and will, hear much worse while watching 15 minutes of major network television!
Who cares what they sing? I went to CU and the CU/CSU rivalry is great. It's just good fun. It's no than CU fans chanting F**kem up, f**kem up, go CU numerous times during every game! It's just part of college football games. If it offends you...don't go. It's as simple as that.
Good song. Or as we say at Texas A&M, it's "good bull." Whoop!
Not only because of th words to this but also because it is even such an issue really proves how sad things are.....
I think it is the greatest football song ever. as a fan i don't get to make the big tackle, but i can talk tons of trash in the stands. and it being a song... that just makes the whole experience better.
This song got banned from CSU games?! Are you kidding me????? I hear stuff on the Family Guy TV show worse than that! NO the song shouldn't be banned or edited!!!!!!
I find this song rather, dare i say, OFFEENSIVE. It is a load of poppy-cock who's father would rather see his son in hell than in a quality institute of learning.I pish-posh anyone who dares utter a lyric from this unholy din! BAn the song for our childerns virgin ears!
AS a CU alum and longtime resident of Boulder, I am not offended by the lyrics. Come on!! It's a funny song. People need to lighten up (starting with the CSU admin.)
Who cares about a silly song? Last time I checked this was the land of the free. Grow up and laugh a little. Geez.
"That song is pathetic. As always, CSU is behind the times and struggling to make itself relevant.
Let them sing whatever they want on September 9th . . . Buffalo, Buffalo, Go CU!!!" This said by a team that can't beat a crappy Montana State team. It's not as offensive as it is stupid. Seems our country is "dumbing" down, and CSU students simply perpetuate it with this song.
Another example of political "correctness" woosidom. Sing your song, CSU.
in case anyone forgot, there is a cheer at boulder that goes...F*** 'em up, F*** 'em up Go CU in which students, alumns, and parents sing in chorus. It is not Buffallo Buffallo, Go CU. But then again, CU is the same place where a whole section of students had to be thrown out of a game and the stadium security guards smoke weed in the stands with the students. Anyway, CU lost to a 1-AA team and CSU stinks so who cares
when i seen this on the news i was expecting lyrics from Eminem or something raunchy. jesus h. christ this is the tamest school song i ever heard. what are these administrators smoking? if its popular i say keep it . is it offensive ? I dont think so Tim.
people need to grow up and find better things to complain about. This is just a song about the love for a school. Dang what's next you won't be able to paint your face showing school spirit for games on Saturday?
Signed SEC Fan It doesnt really matter what the Admins think, because they wont be singing and cheering, they'll be counting the money from the ticket sales. The students should gather enough support that everyone spreads the song lyrics and knows it by heart, so it wont matter if they put it up on the scoreboard. Then they should sing and enjoy there time at the games. I go to college now at BSC, and to be honest, i havent seen much regard for rules. So hopefully its the same at CSU. SING...LIVE...HAVE FUN!
Great More P.C. just what the world needs...
What so you get scared that you call some one a sissy boy? Interesting variation on an Ivy League sidelines song from at least the '50s if not earlier; and yes, Cornell's in that one as well, at least the version of which I'm aware
Living in England the song is a lullabye as compared to some things that are sung at a Football (soccer) game here. GO CSU and Sing your song. Just another way of the nanny state trying to be PC. This is worse than them getting rid of the "biggest cocktail Party". Oh it is offensive and they don't want to promote drinking. DUH have you been to a tailgate party????
When you not to offend anyone, you end up p***ing everyone off. Personally, I'm sick and tired of the politically-correct "sissy boys" in the administration who want to take the fun out of everything.
SING ON! (and I am a Utah Man Sir) who cares if they won't play the video in the time between the 3rd and 4th quarter! you hand out a printed copy to everyone walking in and when the 3rd quarter ends sing until you lose whatever is left of your voice! piss the admin off so much that they just put it back to appease everyone who wants to see it back on the screen [namely everyone!]....GO CSU Student Body!
This is another example "over-parenting" by today's administrations. Students in college today get a bad reputation, but they're no worse than students of 10, 20, 50 or 75 years ago. They've always liked to party and have fun. But now it's over-regulated and makes national news. Leave the kids alone and let them have fun - it's a game!
Supporting a team is basically tribal and of course shouldn't be allowed. All fans should be neutral, politely applauding good play, so long as it doesn't make a fool out of the other team (such intimidation shouldn't be encouraged)
This is silly. Back in the 70's/80's, we had College-(Daze|Days). It was a total week-end party at the end of year (saw the Beach Boys; missed the Stones). It has since been banned.
Now, they are bringing back a funny song and the school is fighting it? The school admin needs to step in and realize that humour and fun goes a long ways to keeping students happy (and paying those outrageous tuitions and fees). There are too effin many rule makers on college campuses today. What would they prefer the CSU faithful sing -- "Kumbayah?" (sp?) Hell, our fight song "Yea, Alabama" advocates the murder by drowning of the opposition, sending Georgia Tech's yellowjackets to a watery grave, and Georgia Tech's song advocates the manufacture and mass consumption of moonshine. When oppposing players are introduced before kickoff in Tuscaloosa, 15,000 UA students shout "Sucks!" after each name. CSU Admin and Trustees, get a life -- no one really wants to murder anyone -- it's all in fun. These are the people who would have Big Brother gadgets spitting out tickets for cussin'. Mark Twain would have fun with this -- Give em hell, Ram fans! Sing it anyway.
Hey, I went to BYU. It's a great school. You know, the song isn't really funny, but it doesn't offend me. If you need the song to play better football, then sing!!
This does not offend me and I am 65 years old and an avid fan of N.C. State football. You should hear the State fight song!
Signed by an ACC fan the same thing happened at Alabama, the administration and some politically correct alumni didn't like it when we the fans chanted the Rammer Jammer song. just like the csu song it is mostly for fun and it pumps up the football players. it just shows how little appreciation there is for the students who support football games.
No, people need to grow up and sing a sing that reflects the values of the school. If this is what it's about, my kids won't be going there and they surely don't need to be hearing the fowl language at a football game that should be family friendly.
I'm from Canada .... just happen to read this story .... you have to be kidding .... there is nothing offensive about this song ... very tame ... poking a little fun ... the few politically correct who make these decisions need to get a more balanced life ...
The Politically Correct need to find something else to focus on, this song is fine. Anyone that is so sensitive that this song bothers them is simply looking for their next great cause. Keep the song!
Bob Oklahoma Great song! No one should be fussing over whether or not it has the admin support, they can sing it without the big screen. Instead Ram fans should be directing their efforts towards working a Montana State reference into the lyrics.
All the negative comments are from the Buffs or anonymous. Guess it really isn't "silly" that the song pumps up CSU fans since it certainly seems to affect CU fans in the opposite manner.
Censoring words in the stands is one step away from protesting the "violence" on the field. They should be saluted for not having traditions like beating up rival fans in the parking lot. (see Texas) Good grief, what next you can't cheer when your team scores? As an Alabama fan I can tell you that the SEC is full of things that are not PC, and when bans have been tried the students in particular keep things alive.
Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer! I have nothing to do with CSU but I do know there is nothing wrong with their school song. This country is going way overboard on being too poltically correct!
I am a college graduate (Univ of Florida 1959) and belief me CSU's song is just one of the many poking fun at other schools. Yet another instance of MIND YOUR OWN DAMN BUSINESS. Let them have their song. If you dont want to hear it DON'T GO TO THE GAME!!!!!
You have a choice and so should the fans. Let them have their fun. If you don't want to hear the song. Stay at home!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I grew up in PA and attended PSU, a great collge tradition and now relocated to southern california. My daughter has shown interest in CSU and after visiting fort collins several times, we became very close to the people on and off campus. Her friend Dave Anderson played football there so needless to say being a "total" outsider, I will have to say it is a crying shame if CSU drops that song. If you heard how the students at PSU sing the alma mater, you would hear some choice words other than what the songs words really are.
Please let the song remain... Jim R. Thousand Oaks, CA I love it!!! As a CSU alumni, I know how much fun those football games are. This is a song the team and the fans can rally around, and since it is at CSU's field, I say tough luck if you dont like it! This is part of the college experience. If you are truly offended by the song, you dont need to go to the game. "I said I'm proud to be a CSU RAM!"
Hey CSU Staff, get over it, either put the Song back on the big screen or put up a post saying that the Staff at CSU are a bunch of morons. You think Fum's Song is bad, get some tickets to Tenn/Georga game, or better yet Fla./Fla.State. Monday night you will see a good one, Fla.State/Miami. You have not heard nothing, these students taunt one another with songs and phrases that will make your ears burn. Hey, it's all in the game.
Another unfortunate example of those who have money have the influence. I'm sure if the song offended a few poor college students it would still be playing.
It seems like a wonderful traditional song of the sort common in spirited colleges
Rule #1 of college football is, don't tell the students not to do something. It is a sure bet that they will sing it all year now.....and they should. ;o)
UND Alumnus Let the song live, first amendment baby
We are talking about a football fight song here...FOOTBALL! Most people here know how people at football games are. If you don't like the song, don't attend the game, watch it at home. Stuff likes this brings the people in the stands together.
The line "C.C. for your sissy boys" should be changed to "A.D. for your sissy boys" in reference to the liability chicken littles in CSU's Athletic Department.
And I thought the best Veterinarian school was in Texas!
Don't the faculty have better things to worry about... Universities have become so concerned with being PC that they have eliminated many of the great traditions that make College football fun and unique. Colleges teach freedom of speech and then take away the very values they preach. Who doesn't think their Alma Mater is the best? It's all in good fun and I doubt very much that many people are actually offended by this song, those mention probably would sing the same thing about CSU.
Anything that rips on the Buffaloes is okay with me. How'd that battle with Montana State go CU!
Keep up the good work CSU students. Go Big Red It's not censorship if the school decides not to play it as part of its entertainment routine. Should they throw people out for singing it? Of course not, and they won't. Should the school be authorizing it? Of course not.
No That Song Is Not Offensive in The Least Who ever was ofened by that song apperently never went to a public high school
Considering how C.U. played yesterday,it would be wise for EVERYONE to keep their sons out of Boulder! Didn't meet many ministers in my time at D.U.,but thought the song was great! How typical for the sports information director at CSU to say that they "were going in a different direction.";the sort of asinine comment one would expect from an adminstrator who is paid to not do any thinking,but merely be a mouthpiece.
I think the song is a wonderful tradition that should be promoted instead of persecuted. I think it's important to establish football traditions in this state other than the uninspiring "HAWKBALL" being highly touted in Boulder. GO MONTANA STATE!!!
This song should be banned. If it is allowed to be played then I can only assume that CSU is a anti-christian school. References in the song are very offensive to christians.
To answer the question. HELL NO !!That is a great song for CSU and nobody should change a word. That song is in the great tradition of college songs. It's unique, rowsing and good for morale.
Anybody who doesn't like it, doesn't have to go to games, watch games or listen to them on the radio. They can also compose and sing their own rebuttal. As an alumnus of one of the schools mentioned, Mines, I am not offended. It is ashame that the song is so poorly written - the goal of almost every verse is to tear down some other school. It would have been better if the verses emphisized the positives about the school instead (there must be something good about CSU) . . .
I do not blame the administration (although I am not a big fan of being politically correct for its own sake) but the ban will not be effective if the students truly support the song. Only time will tell . . . my guess is that the song will die out in a couple of years. As a CC alumni, I say keep the song. CC does have more than its fair share of sissy boys. Sometimes the truth hurts.
This is just another example where people hide behind their titles and try to boost their resumes for personal gain by saying "I cleaned up the system, look how impressive and relevant I am...." I'd place a sawbuck on a bet that none of these suits that are dictating these ridiculous ever donned a uniform or ever exhibited school spirit. Seems like an example of "Revenge of the Nerds!". Who influenced this move? Bryant Gumbel?
As a former athlete and CSU alumni I am taken back by this recent act of CSU leadership. Please get in touch with your college pride, spirit and roots. There are simply better things to do and more imoportant CSU issues at hand than to censor a college fight song. Total hog wash! This was a song that was sung in pride in the locker room after ever win.
FIGHT ON YOU MIGHTY RAMS!!! Jason Basso CSU Class of '92 I'm no fan of the Aggies, but this song is just awesome.It clearly demonstrates the college football spirit.I just wish the Miami Hurricanes had a cool song like this.
The staff at CSU needs to lighten up and let the student body have a sense of school spirit and pride. This song isn't the exactly the principles in which the school was founded, but it brings students from all backgrounds, all races, all sexes, together if only for a few hours on a Saturday afternoon or night. If they learned anything from 9/11, it is to take what we have today and cherish it, live for today. Embrace what the student body has to offer...School Spririt and Pride. That is all it is, don't make this anything that it isn't. Believe me, they have better topics/agendas to handle than a school song.
Semper Fi Randy Wentworth US Marine Corps Not very sophisticated. Another example of the state school vs. the academic one...
Yes it is offensive, but so what! Get a backbone and lighten-up. Banning a song like this is just more PC garbage like getting rid of now "offensive" team mascots or looking to rename the Washington Redskins.
That song is outrageous, and ... wait ... wait a minute ... aaaahhhhh ... there, got that stick out of my butt ... Nothing wrong with the song, it's great, and I would have fun singing it if that were my school.
The core of the latter part of this ("Don't send my boy ...") is at least 50 years old. I learned it in 1960, and it was far from new then! I suspect Ivy League origins (We began "Don't send my boy to Harvard," though I learned it in California), and the "Cornell" reference is indeed, as someone noted above, to set up the "hell" rhyme. (In the version I learned, after setting up that rhyme, the actual final syllable is not "hell" - as the listener is surely anticipating - but the name of a woman's college.)
Hell I'm hearing about this on my Campus. Home of the #1 Buckeyes. That director needs to listen to the students, you guys do pay his salary. Take it to your dean... Go CSU, Go Fum's Song..
WTF? Sing on students at CSU! Acapello from the student section between the 3rd & 4th quarters will soon rise above the temerity of the school administration. This song is harmless compared to fan sing alongs at soccer matches in the UK.
It's not not a listen to song, it a shout it out song, like happy birthday. Up here in Nova Scotia, Canada we would put that in kiddy section. It,s not what the dame thing says it's all about( HOW IT MAKES YOU FEEL FOR THAT MOMENT ) It like singing Auld Lang Syne at new years, it,s all albout the feeling. Let'em sing it. it's all good
I am from texas and a fan till I die ..but what this school has will get them pumped up an dI see no reason to pull the song..... I say that the school listen to the people that PAY to go there and reinstate it and make it an ongoing tradition.........REMEMBER WHO PAYS THE BILLS THERE!!!!!!!!!!
The song itself is pretty inocuous - somebody at CSU needs to lighten up. What's probably more disconcerting is that "CSU is known nationally for two things: a pretty good football program ... and drinking." Yes, this is precisely what one should look at when deciding where to spend tuition dollars. Can somebody at CNN/SI PLEASE get a clue about priorities and perspective? No question that athletics are an important aspect of college life, and that kids will have fun. But to state with pride that one of two things your university is known for is drinking leaves one feeling embarrassed for you and your school. Besides - CSU didn't even make the Princeton Review for drinking, so this author's opinion is apparently seriously in the minority anyway. Ill-informed opinion and poor fact-checking. A standard for journalism for which CNN/SI should be proud.
sing it loud and sing it proud, don't back down to liberal minded thoughts,
As an alumnus from one of the "slandered" schools, it doesn't affect me.
College sports are vehicles to galvanize students together and boost morale. Princeton students have been wearing orange shirts with "Yale Sucks" printed on the front for years; why change? It's a fight song. If the other school(s) don't have a reply, then shame on them. This is a case of being overly sensitive in an area that doesn't need it. What next: banning "The Wizard of Oz" because it portrays the wiccan religion in a bad light? Give me a break! Our country is turning into a politically correct shell of its former self. This is just another instance of censorship gone too far.
Fe Fi Fo Fum... Ya'all lighten up! Its just all in fum!
That is the stupidest damn song I ever heard. Id be ashamed to sing it at a ball game even if I was 3 sheets to the wind.
Seem like a silly ditty that does what school songs are to do which is send insults to their rivals.
Another example of too much PC. It's a football song. It's there are more important things to worry about. If we can celebrate Lord Jeffrey Amherst as "an indian conquerer", why let Fum Song stand?
It seems to me that based on the responses posted here, the only people who are offended by the song are those who are too afraid of being offensive. Let the students have fun and sing their song.
Columbus, OH supports FUM U!
If the uptight, sensitive powers-that-be at CSU want to police what the fans are shouting, they need to worry more about the 4-letter words being lobbed because of a blown play or a bad referee call, which happens at every sporting event in the country, especially football. What's next? No booing?!?!
They tried this at Wisconsin when they wanted to cancel the "Jump Around". Keep it up and you'll win.
To the UMich alum who is so proud of their traditional hockey chant of "Hey [insert Goalie name]! Your mom called and she said YOU SUCK!" You should know that that chant has only been in place at UMich since the 1991 NCAA hockey tourney when Lynah Rink moved out west to Ann Arbor. I hear you guys stole quite a few of our cheers that year and now claim them as your own. Go Big Red and Go Buckeyes! Screw BU and Harvard too!
As for CSU using the song, all power too them. Extra props to them for including schools based on rivalries in areas other than sports. If anybody thinks this song is bad then may I suggest you stay away from any rugby game. But, really it serves a a unique purpuse in that makes the game that much more fun. I believe they should just have some fun.
Reason the song mentions cornell is because CSU and Cornell have been battling for years over who has the best vet program. It's a rival in something else other than sports... No one really would take offense to that though. BRING BACK FUM!!!
If athletics didn’t want this song to be played at games, why did they start it? As far as making the game a "Family Friendly" environment... Ummm its college football with the stands full of drunken college kids. I would never take a small child to one of these games unless I was willing for my kids to put up with it. It’s what college football will be like. It is supposed to be a student environment because students PAY to go to the school. Watch out CSU athletics... your $17.50 increase in student fees might be going away if you don’t bring back the fum song. Maybe CSU athletics should be more worried about their book-keeping than the Fum song…
great song. sing it anyway. if my kid cannot get into Florida...we are now looking at CSU.
From one Aggie to another,
SING THE DAMN SONG! As you may (or may not know), our War Hymn states that TU's (Texas University, as it is not THE University of Texas, as in representative of the state as a whole) fight song "...sounds like hell!!!". As a Texas A&M alumni, a school whose value of tradition and pride is the cornerstone of it's very existence, I'd encourage you all to remember this: the scoreboard is not the source of the tradition...the heart and soul of the tradition are the alumni before you, some family members, some friends, and the FUTURE CSU students who, as part of their experience at the university, all have contributed to maintaining what makes you love your school so much---and this is part of that love. Don't let a bureaucratic, disengaged, and otherwise arbitrary athletic department representative, board of regents, dean, or university president squealch that passion each of you have for your university. And to the Colorado fans who have called their counterparts "trash," "irrelevant," and the like: how was the game this weekend? Gig 'Em, CSU!!! If I can't sing Fum's song at Mile High on September 9th, maybe I'll sing this song instead:
Stand up and cheer, Cheer long and loud for dear Montana, For today we raise The blue and gold to wave victorious! Our sturdy band now is fighting And we are sure to win the fray We've got the vim, we're here to win, For this is dear Montana's day! Rah! Rah! Rah! Not at all-it beats the hell outta 'Ole Rocky Top', and 'Boomer Sooner and all the rest of those non drinking tunes out there!
I think the song is amusing and it shouldn’t be censored
~ CU Boulder Alum ('03) Its pretty funny to read these Buff fans attempting to insult CSU. Does CU still have a men's football program? Oh yeah thats right they were embarrassed by some team up in Montana, IN BOULDER! They shouldn't even be playing MWC teams, they have found their true match in IAA. I guess the Buffs better focus on CSU (who they claim is not a rival) because it is only going to be down hill after that when they face the big time programs like the Huskers!
Fum's song should be kept! Montana State!?!?!? Keep it. They're stilll gonna sing it no matter what administration does.
I think that the song is great, and if thats what the team wants to bring in a win....who cares?! Seriously...there are more non-pc things out there...and this is what you choose to get rid of?!
I think they dig on cornell beacuse of the vet school rivalry
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