Concordia is a school that is rich in tradition. The traditions of the school are what make it everything that the college is today. Most football players are asked why they chose Concordia and the majority of the guys, including myself, will quickly point to the strong traditions of the college. I am personally a guy who is very big on tradition. I have many traditions and rituals that I follow in order to get myself through the many dreadful weeks of school. One tradition that I do weekly is a Monday conversation with my favorite campus security guard. Another is that after a long weekend of partying, I take a Sunday trip to Grand Junction to start my week off the right way.

Tradition is a big part of my life and I appreciate the sacredness of traditions, BUT there is one cobber tradition that really grinds my gears. This tradition is the alleged “Bell Tower Curse.” This curse is foolish and nonsense. I am okay with the chipper and super cheesy three day long freshman orientation; I wore my beanie with pride. I love it when the beast is unleashed at the annual homecoming bonfires. I cheer along loudly doing my part in unleashing the beast. But the idea that if a student decides to walk under the bell tower alone they will be doomed and never find love is preposterous.

I do not know much about love, my experience is very limited and has taught me that love just hurts, but I know there is more to it than that. I know that there is much joy brought to many people’s lives all across the world through this powerful emotion. I wanted some advice on love, and at a Lutheran school, what better place to look than the Bible. I figured that it could help shed some light on this situation. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” WOW! That is the love that I am looking for. But could something so patient and kind, so unproud and not easily angered really withhold itself from you just because you decide to walk under the bell tower alone? I do not think so. This tradition is false, and to prove it I have walked under the bell tower alone several times. Perhaps this is the reason I do not have a girlfriend :/.. But more likely it is a decision by choice. The bell tower curse is incorrect, contradictory to the entire belief system of our school, and it gives me the bell tower blues.
Ernie puttin it down