Noise complaints deter winter recreation at Old Main

Sledding down Utah State University’s Old Main Hill isn’t just an Aggie tradition — it could also be a violation of a Logan city noise ordinance.

Madison Gooch, a junior at Utah State University, has been sledding down Old Main for almost three years.

“College is exhausting,” Gooch said. “Sometimes I just need a few minutes to relax, get outside and do something fun. So, sledding down Old Main has become one of my favorite things.”

On Jan. 21 at 12:30 a.m., Gooch was doing just that with a small group of friends. Shortly upon arrival, they were approached by campus police because of a noise disturbance issue.

“The problem is when the noise levels carry over into the quiet hour," said Captain Steve Milne of the campus police.

Although they were not the only group on the hill, the officer asked them to keep their screams and cheers to a minimum or they would be asked to leave. Quiet hours in the city of Logan had already begin at 10 p.m. and last until 7 a.m.

“I’ve never been kept up by people sledding on Old Main,” said Shelby Mills, a resident in the back building of the Living Learning Community on the north side of the hill. “That’s about as close as you can get to the hill.”

Milne said as long as sledders are cooperative and can monitor their noise levels they will be allowed to continue sledding into the quiet hours.

Old Main Hill is located near student housing on both the north side of the hill and at the bottom on 700 North. It is unclear where the complaint came from.