For all those uninformed about the history of MOE Sticks (also spelled MOEstix).
In 2000, our rookie year, MOE 365 developed our signature cheer (Oh-oh-OH-oh, Oh-oh-OH-oh, clap-clap-clapclapclap-clap-clap-clap-clap, GO MOE!). To intensify the "claps", one of our mentors (Vince) started banging two sticks together. It caught on from there and we ended up painting them lime green and black. The first year, students painted them with their names and other sayings, etc.
They did make noise.
Next season, 2001, we standardized the paint scheme and settled in on the lime green and black diagonals. Apart from being a hazard symbol, I'm not sure why we chose that design. Regardless, it stuck. From then on, all MOE sticks had the signature diagonal.
We clapped our hearts out at competitions, and graciously handed out earplugs. Some loved the MOE sticks and some hated the MOE sticks. There were incidents where members from other teams would "borrow" MOE sticks to take them out of play. This came to a head with the MOE Stick Held Hostage event in 2003. I have posted a number of photos that showed up on CD from the kidnapper (at least that's what we believed). Eventually, the sticks were returned. However, FIRST was seriously evaluating the noise level at regional events. After that season, FIRST set up official rules regarding which noisemakers were allowed at competitions and which were not.
Since our beloved MOE sticks were now banned, MOE looked for other unique sounds be bestow upon regional attendees. During the 2004 build season, a student used some of our LEXAN side panel material to make strange sounds. We liked it (at least some of us did). We cut up rectangular panels, painted them, and they became our MOE Wobblies. The name seemed fitting based on the sound they made.
We still bring the MOE Wobblies to competitions. The few remaining sticks we have only come out during special occasions. We thought that Ramp Riot would be a nice occasion to resurface some of our MOE sticks.
If anyone has any additional "MOE Sticks Held Hostage" photos from those good old days, I would love to see them.
So, that's the rest of the story.
