Ralphie the Buffalo

Ralphie IV on the sidelines at the 2005 Big 12 Conference football championship game

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 as the team enters the stadium, and 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 15-18 "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 a rotating group of five handle her on each run.

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 15-18 varsity student-athletes that volunteer 20 or more hours per week for the program in physical training, practicing, making appearances, and caring for Ralphie.

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.

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's care

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.

Bison have efficient body mechanisms that allow them to cool themselves when hot or dry and keep themselves warm when cold or wet. 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.

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. In the winter, she will eat snow as a water source, but still has access to fresh water. Her manure is gathered daily and put into a large compost pile. This serves multiple purposes, including decreasing the fly population, helping to keep her pastures fresh for her to graze, and speeding up the breakdown of the manure so it can be applied to the pastures as fertilizer. During the summer months, flies are commonly associated with livestock. 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.

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 ian 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.

When Ralphie is meeting fans, 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.

History

Ralphie I

Ralphie I served 1966–78

Ralphie II

Ralphie II served 1978–87

Born: May 25, 1975, Longmont, Colorado

Died: September 19, 1987

Football Team Record When Ralphie Ran at Folsom Field: 17-32

Football Team Record When Ralphie Ran at Any Game: 19-34

Total Games: 53

Ralphie III

Ralphie III served 1987–97

Born: June 3, 1985, Laramie, Wyoming

Died: January 20, 1998

Served: September 26, 1987 – November 28, 1997

Folsom Field Games: 62

Mile High Stadium Games: 0

Away Stadium Games: 3

Conference Championship Games: 0

Bowl Games: 8

Football Team Record When Ralphie Ran at Folsom Field: 48-12-2

Football Team Record When Ralphie Ran at Any Game: 55-16-2

Total Games: 73

She did attend the two home games after Ralphie II died, but did not run, instead standing on the sidelines. The Buffs welcomed her with a 27–10 victory over Missouri.

Ralphie IV

Joshua Lawton, photographer for the Boulder Daily Camera, gets a rare look at the secret home of Ralphie IV as her handlers prepare her before the Montana State game in 2006.

Born: April 1997, Gallatin Gateway, Montana

Died: March 19, 2017

Served: September 5, 1998 – August 31, 2008

Folsom Field Games: 55

Mile High Stadium Games: 9

Away Stadium Games: 1

Conference Championship Games: 4

Bowl Games: 6

Football Team Record When Ralphie Ran at Folsom Field: 36-19

Football Team Record When Ralphie Ran at Any Game: 44-31

Total Games: 75

Ralphie V

Ralphie V at her public introduction on November 17, 2007. She was 13 months old and weighed 450 lbs.

Born: October 2006, Cimarron, New Mexico

Served: September 6, 2008 – November 23, 2019

Folsom Field Games: 65

Mile High Stadium Games: 10

Away Stadium Games: 0

Conference Championship Games: 0

Bowl Games: 1

Football Team Record When Ralphie Ran at Folsom Field: 31-34

Football Team Record When Ralphie Ran at Any Game: 39-37

Total Games: 76

Frei continues to house Ralphie V.

Ralphie V makes many appearances throughout the school year to support Colorado and the University. During football seasons, she attends the Ralphie's Corral pre-game party on campus. One hour before kickoff, Ralphie stands on the northeast sideline, ready to welcome the Buffs onto the field.

Ralphie V officially retired on November 12, 2019, after almost 12 seasons. Due to temperament issues, she did not run the previous 2 home football games prior to her retirement. The search for the next mascot, to be named Ralphie VI, was said to be "ongoing" as of November 2019.

Ralphie VI

Born: May 27 2020, Chadron, Nebraska

Served: September 1, 2021 – Present

Folsom Field Games: 12

Mile High Stadium Games: 0

Away Stadium Games: 0

Conference Championship Games: 0

Bowl Games: 0

Football Team Record When Ralphie Ran at Folsom Field: 6-18

Football Team Record When Ralphie Ran at Any Game: 6-18

Total Games: 12

On September 1, 2021, Ralphie VI was formally announced as the successor to Ralphie V. Ralphie VI was born on May 27, 2020, on a ranch belonging to Colorado alumnus Will Isham just north of Chadron, Nebraska. Orphaned at birth after being rejected by her mother, Ralphie VI was adopted and raised in part by a beef cow. After it was decided that Ralphie V would retire, Taylor Stratton, manager of the Ralphie Live Mascot Program, reached out to her friend Drew, the daughter of Will Isham, in an effort to identify a possible candidate to succeed Ralphie V. Ralphie VI was donated to the University in November 2020. As of her introduction, she currently weighs just under 500 pounds. Ralphie VI made her debut on September 3, 2021, at the televised game between CU and Northern Colorado.

Traditions

Ralphie IV in her pen at the Georgia game on September 23, 2006. Also seen is the trailer in which she travels.

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 IV running at Colorado's first win of the 2006 season, and head coach Dan Hawkins' first win at Colorado on October 14, 2006 against the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Notice the "BEAT TECH" on Ralphie's outfit.
• 
  Ralphie IV running at the game against the Kansas State Wildcats on November 4, 2006. Notice the "BEAT KSU" on Ralphie's outfit. The handlers often lose their cowboy hats.
• 
  Ralphie IV is made available to the public during football season so they can take pictures and touch her. This picture taken on October 6, 2006, the day before she made her appearance at the game against the Baylor Bears.
• 
  Ralphie IV making her run in the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on November 25, 2005.

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.