Ralphie the Buffalo

Ralphie V at the 2017 Rocky Mountain showdown.

Ralphie the Buffalo is the name of the live mascot of the University of Colorado Buffaloes. The current Ralphie – nicknamed Ember – is the sixth bison to fill the role since 1966. She is known for running a horseshoe pattern around Folsom Field prior to each half of home football games. She enters the field as the public address announcer exlaims "Here comes Ralphie!" and typically runs directly right in front of the team as they enter the stadium. She has been frequently named one of the best mascots in sports.

Due to their smaller size, reduced strength, and less-aggressive temperament, female bison have always been chosen as Ralphie. She can reach speeds of 25 miles per hour, and it traditionally takes five handlers to guide her around the field. The team of approximately 15 "Ralphie Handlers" are student-athletes that earn varsity letters for their efforts. They typically spend more than 20 hours per week training, practicing, and caring for Ralphie, while rotating the privilege of running with her during the game.

While commonly referred to as a buffalo, Ralphie is actually an American bison. Bison are found in North America and Europe while buffalo are native to Africa and Asia. Bison have large humps at their shoulders, long and large heads, and upward-growing horns, compared to the outward-growing horns of the buffalo.

Ralphie Handlers

The Ralphie Handlers are a group of approximately 15 varsity student-athletes that volunteer 20 or more hours per week for the program in physical training, practicing, making appearances, and caring for Ralphie.

The 2017 Ralphie Handlers

Initially called "The Men Who Run with Ralphie," the name was changed to "Ralphie Runners" in 1970. As the responsibilities and duties of the students on the team increased from just running with Ralphie to assisting in her overall care and maintenance, the name "Ralphie Handlers" was adopted in the 1980s. Handlers first started earning varsity letters in 1987. Even though the Handlers do not fall under NCAA jurisdiction, the Athletic Department still holds them to the same standards as other varsity athletes in the department. The first female Handler joined the team in 1992.

Typically, five handlers are used on each run with Ralphie: two in the front (left and right) to steer her around the field, two in the back (left and right) to help guide her, and one in the back to control her speed, known as the loop position. Taylor Stratton has been the program manager and head coach since 2020. Both Stratton and assistant coach Colton Behr were Ralphie Handlers when they were students at Colorado. Whether or not Ralphie runs is at the sole discretion of the program manager, and her run may be canceled for any reason deemed to be in her best interest.

When Ralphie is meeting fans at events, she stays in her gold pen. Handlers strategically stand around her pen to keep fans from getting too close or standing in a place or manner that would upset her. Handlers do not allow fans to pet or surround her, making sure she is comfortable.

Ralphie's Ranch

Ralphie lives on a ranch in an undisclosed location to protect her and provide her with an ideal living environment. Only people associated with the program are permitted to visit her at the ranch.

Ralphie has access to shelters that allow her to avoid bad weather, however her team reports that she enjoys being outside regardless of temperature or precipitation. Ralphie's pasture is dotted with large scratching posts made of old street sweeper brushes donated by the city of Boulder. She uses these mainly in the spring to help shed her thick winter coat. Ralphie also has several large traffic cones, large rubber balls, and large tractor tires that she enjoys playing with.

A look inside the ranch where Ralphie lives. The location is undisclosed to the public.

Ralphie is fed premium grass hay daily to supplement the grass she grazes. She can eat up to 30 pounds of grasses and hay daily, and drinks 10-15 gallons of water. Her manure is gathered daily and composted. During the summer months, various fly control methods are utilized to combat flies at Ralphie's ranch. Although many steps are taken to prevent and keep flies away from Ralphie, they are only a nuisance and do not harm her.

In addition to the Ralphie Handlers and coaches, she also has a veterinarian who provides wellness exams and vaccinations. The University of Colorado's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee also visit Ralphie for an annual inspection. Finally, the program has an exhibitor's license through the United States Department of Agriculture, which involves a surprise inspection every 8-12 months to ensure compliance with the Animal Welfare Act.

Ralphie travels to and from the ranch in a custom-made trailer designed for her. It is is insulated on both the sides and the roof, with vents that can be opened and closed to adjust airflow and temperature. The inside walls and floor are lined with rubber mats for her comfort. There is enough space for her to walk around, turn around, and lie down. Special gates can be closed to allow the Handlers to easily and safely attach her harness and headstall on her and bring her in and out of the trailer.

History

Name	Nickname	Place of Birth	Born	Debut Run	Final Run	Death	Total Games Run
Ralphie I	Rralph	Sedgewick, CO	November 1965	September 16, 1967	November 18, 1978	May 13, 1982	78
Ralphie II	Moonshine	Longmont, CO	May 25, 1975	November 18, 1978	September 19, 1987	September 19, 1987	53
Ralphie III	Tequila	Laramie, WY	June 3, 1985	November 7, 1987	November 28, 1997	January 20, 1998	73
Ralphie IV	Rowdy	Gallatin Gateway, MT	April 1997	September 5, 1998	August 31, 2008	March 19, 2017	75
Ralphie V	Blackout	Cimarron, NM	October 2006	September 6, 2008	October 5, 2019	–	76
Ralphie VI	Ember	Chadron, NE	May 27, 2020	September 3, 2021	–	–	12

NOTE: Ralphie I ran prior to first half of the November 18, 1978 game, while Ralphie II ran prior to the second half

NOTE: Ralphie VI's games are through the 2022 season

Traditions

She rarely travels to away games—bowl games excluded—and only when permitted by the rules of the host stadium. Ralphie IV traveled to the September 23, 2006, game against the Georgia Bulldogs along with an ESPN producer and cameraman who documented the trip and aired a special on that weekend's College Gameday. She also traveled to the 2005 Champs Sports Bowl.

She used to wear a custom-made banner that read "GO CU" on one side, and "Beat [the opposing team]" on the other side with the CU Logo, such as "Beat CSU". Ralphie travels to games and appearances in a black custom stock trailer emblazoned with her name in gold. Ralphie and her trailer are pulled through the University Hill neighborhood before games on her way to the stadium.

Ralphie is held in a secret location so that she will not be harassed or harmed by the public, keeping her and the public safe from harm.

A tradition of the Ralphie Handler Team is to eat a large team breakfast or lunch at a local diner prior to game-day events.

Gallery

• 
  Ralphie I
• 
  Ralphie II
• 
  Ralphie III
• 
  Ralphie IV
• 
  Ralphie IV at a road game in Athens, Georgia
• 
  Ralphie IV is made available to the public during the football season.
• 
  Ralphie V, at her public introduction in 2007.

See also

• Colorado Buffaloes football
• University of Colorado Boulder#Mascot; spirit program
• Colorado Buffaloes#Mascots

External links

• University of Colorado Ralphie official site
• ESPN Page 2 - article about Ralphie and her handlers
• Colorado Traditions
• College football's 12 coolest mascots: 1. Ralphie the Buffalo, Colorado. FoxSports.com. Retrieved 2010-09-01.