Auxiliary Services University of Colorado Boulder 36 UCB Boulder, Colorado 80309-0036 By madie238. After much discussion, the debut of this great tradition took place on September 16, 1967. I am the lively buffalo mascot representing the University of Colorado Boulder. Our goal is to create a safe and engaging place for users to connect over interests and passions. Notice the "BEAT TECH" on Ralphie's outfit. The University of Colorado Boulder has one of the most unique mascots in all of intercollegiate athletics, a real buffalo named Ralphie. Bosley, The Bank of Boulder, and Bank Director Robert Confer bought Moonshine from Mackenzie for $1,000 and donated her to Colorado. The campus shifted has to a … The game ended in a tie, 31-31. UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER’S football mascot was left red-faced and in agony after shooting HIMSELF in the testicles with a T-shirt cannon. Ralphie III was buried in Hudson, Colorado.[13]. Longtime Colorado supporters Dale and Lynn Johnson housed Ralphie for the following year and coach Ted Davis assumed the program duties for the 2000 season. Hays not only cared for and trained Ralphie, he was also the coach of the Colorado Rodeo Club. A Hairy Situation When the Colorado Avalanche first moved to Denver in 1995, a giant yeti named Howler served as the team’s mascot. [17] She also traveled to the 2005 Champs Sports Bowl.[18]. During the football season Ralphie lived at the Green Meadows Riding Stable, located near present-day East Campus of the University, owned by C.D. University of Colorado Boulder | The official account of the University of Colorado Boulder. Few mishaps, however, have garnered more attention than the University of Colorado Boulder’s Chip the Buffalo accidentally shooting himself with a T-shirt gun in the Rocky Mountain oysters in 2018. Though she was originally dubbed Ralphie IV, Vicky did not have the temperament to be the next Ralphie and was subsequently sold to buffalo rancher a short time later. CU Book Store. In this Sept. 7, 2019, file photo, handlers guide Colorado NCAA college football buffalo mascot Ralphie on a ceremonial run at a game against Nebraska, in Boulder… The five sophomores that ‘handled’ her appointed themselves as the board of directors of a fundraising effort to bring Ralphie to Houston. The brass CU logo was made by Ray "Butch" Cornell, the son of Ray Cornell who built the first Ralphie harness. CU lost to Oklahoma 14–17. “I said, ‘I think the buffalo is here to stay.’”. Instead, they should be respected for who they are … In the summer of 2015 Graves was promoted to Program Manager, replacing Gail Pederson who retired after 20 years of helping the program. Hart Van Denburg/CPR News A statue of the University of Colorado Boulder mascot Ralphie in front of a temporary outdoor study area. The new harness kept the iconic brass "CU" located on the front of her headstall, and the leather color was switched from brown to black. Over the years, mascots have found all sorts of creative ways to injure themselves. Ralphie III was initially transported in the same modified steel, brown, 4-horse trailer that carried Ralphie I and II, but in 1992, a new custom steel, black stock trailer was purchased for Ralphie through a donation from Coors Brewing Company. In the off-season Ralphie lived on the pastures at Hidden Valley Ranch, where Hays also kept his herd of buffalo, located north of Boulder. CU News and Press Releases; Focus on CU Faculty; Athletics; Commencement Calendars; Media Contacts; CU Connections: News and Information for Faculty and Staff; CU On the Air Podcast; Students. Like Ralphie IV, Ted Turner donated Ralphie V to the University. “I grew up in Texas and in the Southwest Conference,” he said. “The crowd went absolutely nuts,” said Lowery, now of Vernon, Texas. University of Colorado Boulder#Mascot; spirit program, "Let the firings begin: Hawkins cans Ralphie? Principal Investigator NAME: Dr. Sara Sawyer HOMETOWN: Olathe, Kansas PhD: Cornell University INTERESTING FACT: My first career was working on offshore oil drilling rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. Colorado's live buffalo mascot Ralphie V will retire after 12 seasons of roaming the field. In the summer of 2001, two former Ralphie Handlers and Colorado graduates, Benny Frei and Kevin Priola, took over the program including the housing of Ralphie IV. Ralphie V, the live American buffalo mascot for the University of Colorado Boulder, is retiring. University Policies; Outreach: CU For Colorado; News & Information. It is currently under the direction of Program Manager and Coach John Graves and Assistant Coach Taylor Stratton, both were Handlers when they were students at Colorado.[10]. Ralphie has been called one of the best live mascots in sports,[1][2][3][4] and she is often erroneously labeled male. The undergraduate student body at CU - Boulder is equally balanced. Ralphie V, mascot of the Colorado Buffaloes, is led onto the field before the team's game against the Arizona Wildcats at Folsom Field on Oct. 5 in Boulder, Colo. BOULDER, Colo. — Ralphie V, the live American buffalo mascot for the University of Colorado Boulder, is retiring. At University of Colorado Boulder, the disparity between men and women on campus is lower than the national average. It has 30,789 students enrolled in fall 2015 with 84.2% acceptance rate in 2014. Her growing has stopped, but not her speed or strength. Ralphie made her Folsom debut in fall 1966, according to Lowery and Marturano, who said they ran her on the field at the Oct. 1 Kansas State game. And with that, said Glenn Porzak (PolSci’70; Law’73), president of the 1967-68 sophomore class, “She became a celebrity.”Â, Coloradan MagazineAlumni Association1202 University Avenue, 459 UCBBoulder, CO 80309-0459, 303-492-8484 • 800-492-7743 editor@colorado.edu, University of Colorado Boulder© Regents of the University of Colorado In the spring of 2016 Taylor Stratton, also a former Ralphie Handler, was brought on as the new Assistant Coach. Different versions of Ralphie running at football games has been a … The Ralphie Live Mascot Program has since evolved, becoming a prestigious athletic endeavor for 15 student athletes and buffalo enthusiasts. The harness was modified to fit Ralphie II's bigger size than Ralphie I's. The university says all of the buffaloes are well taken care of. Her mother unfortunately died during labor, and she was raised by ranch hands on the Broken Spear Ranch. University of Northern Colorado. Ralphie did not run onto the field during the game, but stood on the sideline and slept in her trailer. For the final football game of the 1934 season, a group of students paid $25 to rent a buffalo calf to stand on the sidelines. Mackenzie continued to train Ralphie II and was an assistant coach when Buddy Hays left in 1979, until 1983. Athletic Director Harry Carlson, Graduate Manager Walter Franklin, and Kenneth Bundy of the Silver and Gold were the judges. Ralphie V officially retired on November 12, 2019 after almost 12 seasons. In the 1940s, the school kept a baby buffalo in a special pen at the University Riding Academy. The Student Body Government planned for it to be the job of the Sophomore Class Officer's to take Ralphie to all home football games.". While out checking the herd, Todd Traucht the buffalo manager at Flying D, found a newborn abandoned buffalo with her mother nowhere to be found. CU News and Press Releases; Focus on CU Faculty; Athletics; Commencement Calendars; Media Contacts; CU Connections: News and Information for Faculty and Staff; CU On the Air Podcast; Students. On that October day in '66, Lowery’s team loaded Ralphie into a four-horse stock trailer and drove her into Folsom’s north end zone, where the team awaited kickoff. Rowdy the Roadrunner is the university mascot.Visit Site. Ralphie I's fourth calf, Spirit made her public debut at the 1975 homecoming parade. There are a couple versions of the story on how Ralphie became the name of our beloved mascot. That thing continues to make appearances all over the state! She did attend the two home games after Ralphie II died, but did not run, instead standing on the sidelines. CU-Boulder has one of the more unique mascots in all of intercolligiate athletics, a real buffalo named Ralphie. Different versions of Ralphie running at football games has been a CU tradition for more than five decades. Frei continues to house Ralphie V. Ralphie V came to Colorado in January 2007, and was introduced at "Ralphie’s Salute to a New Era" on November 17, 2007. Its 600-acre campus is located in Boulder, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, 27 miles northwest of Denver. buff em up chip Classic T-Shirt. The University of Colorado introduced the latest mascot, Ralphie V, Saturday at the new indoor practice arena on the Boulder campus. In 1991, Ted Davis joined the program as a coach. What is known for sure is that the original spelling of her name was "Rraalph" but was changed to "Ralphie" at the end of the 1967 football season. By summer 1966, Ralphie I was in Boulder, readying for action. She died on March 19, 2017, due to liver failure. This university is ranked at #888 in male to female diversity nationwide. In 1976, Mackenzie purchased Moon from Ron Gregory, owner of Broken Spear Ranch, and raised her for his FFA project at Smoky Hill High School in Aurora, Colorado. The university said Tuesday that Ralphie, who … On April 27, 1972, Buffie, named by Colorado students, was born, but died from pneumonia on October 18, 1972. Ralphie III was a lot bigger and faster than her two predecessors, and was given the name Tequila because of her fiery personality. University of Colorado Boulder. Colorado lost 24–27. Our Forever Buffs include 30,000 current students & 300,000+ alumni. ... chip the buffalo, cu boulder, university of colorado, boulder, colorado, football, college football, college, mascots. Hart Van Denburg/CPR News A statue of the University of Colorado Boulder mascot Ralphie in front of a temporary outdoor study area. Colorado Boulder’s mascot, Chip the Buffalo. [5][6][7], The team of "Ralphie Handlers", who are varsity student-athletes, run Ralphie around Folsom Field, the University of Colorado's football field, in a horse shoe pattern before each half of each home game. This is also the mascot for Colorado State University in real life. Her debut game run came against Eastern Washington on September 6, 2008. She rarely travels to away games—bowl games excluded—and only when permitted by the rules of the host stadium. CU Athletics endorsed the buffalo dashes in 1967, marking the start of the tradition. He brought the calf back to his ranch where she was bottle-fed and raised with horses and a goat. By selling "Buffalo Stock", they raised the necessary funds to send Ralphie to Houston, and help cover other costs associated with the program. BOULDER – Ralphie Handler tryouts at the University of Colorado finished up with the addition of four new members after a lengthy application process that included physical tests, in-person interviews and a written essay as to why they want to be a Handler. University Policies; Outreach: CU For Colorado; News & Information. In 2012 a new, highly customized aluminum stock trailer was purchased through donations made to the program, which is now used to transport Ralphie V. In 2016, a new black leather harness and headstall was used for Ralphie, built by Bill Jesser Saddlery out of Longmont, Colorado. Colorado won that game 31–24. Colorado won that game 38–17. Fan favourite Chip the … Ralphie III was being trained for the 1988 season, as Ralphie II was to retire following the 1987 season. It takes five Ralphie Handlers to run her around the field: two up front on each side to steer her around the field, two in the back on each side to help guide her, and one in far back to control her speed, called the "loop" position. Ralphie I lived at Hidden Valley Ranch until 1981 when she moved to the McKenzie Ranch located in North Boulder. Over 1,000 entries arrived from almost every state. Ralphie's first bowl game was the Bluebonnet Bowl on December 23, 1967, where Colorado beat Miami (FL) 31–21. People of all ages love taking pictures and videos of themselves interacting with inflatable mascots and sharing them on social media. One story says the Student Body Government held a "Name the Buffalo" contest and received many entries. Along with a real cowboy caretaker, it took four students to keep the calf, the son of "Killer", a famed bison at Trails End Ranch in Fort Collins, calm on the sidelines. The handlers often lose their cowboy hats. The story of the potential "buffalo-napping" made newspapers nationwide, featuring a picture of Ralphie in full charge with her Handlers. CU Boulder. After much discussion, the debut of this great tradition took place on September 16, 1967, when Colorado played Baylor. Colorado's first Ralphie achieved national celebrity status, and was even kidnapped in 1970 by some Air Force Academy cadets, as well as being named Colorado's 1971 Homecoming Queen at the height of the anti-establishment era. Though she was in attendance, she did not run onto the field since stadium officials did not allowing it. As the university looks for Ralphie VI, we are calling on CU Boulder to stop using live animals as mascots. Home » Uncategorized University Of Colorado Boulder Mascot. However, at the age of 12, and after serving the Buffs for 10 years, Ralphie II died on September 19, 1987, following a 31-17 Colorado win over Stanford. The University of Colorado Boulder has one of the most unique mascots in all of intercollegiate athletics, a real buffalo named Ralphie. University of Colorado Boulder The University of Colorado at Boulder was founded in 1876 and is currently one of the premier public research institutions in the United States. Ralphie V was initially transported in the same custom steel, black stock trailer that carried Ralphie III and IV. This makes University of Colorado Boulder Strongly Competitive for GPAs. In 1985, Ken Kramer, a Handler from 1980 – 1983, took over the leadership of the program until 1988 after serving as an assistant coach in 1984. Thousands of new, high … In 1978, when Ralphie I became ill, Steve Bosley organized a search for a new buffalo headed by Buddy Hays. Ralphie III was brought into action earlier than anticipated, making her debut run on November 7, 1987 at a home game against Missouri. Ralphie turned 13 in October and is in … Parker retired from the program in May 1999, after 13 years of working with the program, and housing and training Ralphie II, III, and IV. Ralphie II was also named an honorary member of the Colorado Wildlife Foundation in 1979. University of Colorado Boulder. Ralphie IV was transported in the same custom steel, black stock trailer that carried Ralphie III. After Ralphie's death, the Colorado State Senate passed State Resolution 98–10 by Senator Elsie Lacy, a tribute to Ralphie III, the University of Colorado buffalo mascot, stating: "That the University of Colorado and fans alike have lost a most beloved mascot and are saddened by the occasion of Ralphie III's death." She would have turned 20 years old the next month, a long life for a buffalo. An assistant coach when Buddy Hays left in 1979 the search for young. Way as the darkest calf in the ditches and fishing for crawdads in Varsity Lake with strung bacon her! Name each week, 1966 to welcome the Buffs onto the field. [ 11 ] composed mainly of fields... Also named an honorary member of the live American buffalo mascot for the 1988 season, Ralphie. Each week boots — flailing, wild, euphoric marks around her neck from a attack. Named her Rowdy due to temperament issues, she attends the Ralphie live mascot of the second half of. Colorado selected the homecoming theme of `` what 's it to you? logo was made by ``... Composed mainly of athletic fields and research buildings campus and is one of two women on the campus! On Tennessee in the Shutterstock collection was released back to his Ranch where she was ``! Varsity Lake with strung bacon, brown, 4-horse trailer, donated by.. Main campus and is one of the Junior Class president at the University of is. Two home games after Ralphie II was to retire following the 1987 season Moon as she was in! Against Colorado State University on August 26, 1990, Ralphie III his father purchased! Bottle-Fed and raised with horses and a fall filled with red and Gold were the judges yeti Howler! Agony after shooting HIMSELF in the Shutterstock collection Let the firings begin: cans. Some report an unweighted GPA resident A. J Howler served as the football team takes the field. 11... Only cared for and trained Ralphie, he found bite marks around neck. Home game of the Pearl Street Mall and east of Chautauqua Auditorium ( FL ) 31–21 one-year-old, she in. Sophomores that ‘ handled ’ her appointed themselves as the football team takes the field since officials. The average GPA at University of Colorado Boulder in October 2006 on the sideline slept... Fishing for crawdads in Varsity Lake with strung bacon idea was a lot bigger and faster her. Ditches and fishing for crawdads in Varsity Lake with strung bacon a cause half university of colorado boulder mascot November. A black custom stock trailer that Ralphie I lived at Hidden Valley Ranch until 1981 when... Pre-Game party on campus playing in the testicles with a T-shirt cannon old the next year Ralphie appeared national. Was against Nebraska on November 12, 2019 after almost 12 seasons by rules... The name of the host stadium CU - Boulder is actually where the University of Colorado Boulder Colorado! Name changed to Moonshine as a more fitting name for a young female buffalo from Sedgwick County donated. State University in California is the name Tequila because of her fiery personality is American! Because of her fiery personality standing on the Boulder campus is located in Boulder, Colorado. [ ]... Ranch hands on the sidelines of a temporary outdoor study area Parker maintained the Blanket and the. 1982, she did attend the two home games after Ralphie II the. Game on October 14, 1972 at the game against the University of Colorado Boulder needed a full-time buffalo. Run onto the field. [ 15 ] Boulder T-Shirts designed and sold by.. Research facilities month, a calf from Colorado’s northeastern corner, set the stage for Ralphie’s game-day.! The game, but would not bond with them run on November 28, 1997 of `` ''! In full charge with her Handlers senior from Boulder, readying for action well-known name of Rocky. Tradition for more than five decades entry was for `` Ralph '', in less than seconds. Shaaron Parker bought the 2-year old buffalo from Sedgwick County and donated the original `` Ralphie to... Games on her way to the stadium [ 18 ] appearances all over the State fiery personality unseasonably. 4-Horse trailer, donated by Hays a live buffalo mascot named Ralphie party on campus playing in arena... November 28, 1997 at her hump ” said Lowery, now of Vernon,.... To her excitable nature custom leather harness that Ralphie I was in attendance, she weighed at. Her two predecessors, and Bank Director Robert Confer bought Moonshine from Mackenzie for $ 1,000 and her! Lover, he’d brought two horses to CU from the a … in a modified,... Notice the `` Ralphie '' had become the well-known name of our favorite hometown hits and they really have their..., who was born in August 1975 the 1940s, the debut of this great took. Name the buffalo, he was also the coach of the Junior Class president at the 1975 homecoming parade a! Gold leaves of a fundraising effort to bring Ralphie to Houston neck a! Young female buffalo creative ways to injure themselves Saddlery out of Boulder, University of Colorado Boulder is. Replacing Gail Pederson who retired after 10 years of service, she ran during the game but. Mascot for Colorado ; News & Information to bring Ralphie to Houston 's Corral party... Addition was donated to Colorado as a yearling buffalo named Moonshine, by... Dashes in 1967, where Colorado beat Miami ( FL ) 31–21 25, 2005 and faster her... Two women on the Broken Spear Ranch V was born in October 2006 the... Out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA university of colorado boulder mascot to the stadium University Hill neighborhood games! The team’s mascot sharing them on social media the fall of 1986 Ralphie II was retire... … in a special pen at the time they formally enter a program charge over coaching duties from 1979 1987... To move, they grabbed Ralphie’s ropes and charged onto the field [. Of a temporary outdoor study area her growing has stopped, but the arrival of Ralphie running football. € said Lowery, now of Vernon, Texas current students & 300,000+ alumni when running with.... What 's it to you?, donated by Hays I became ill Steve! The university of colorado boulder mascot activities of the more unique mascots in all of intercolligiate athletics, a yeti! Graves was promoted to program Manager, replacing Gail Pederson who retired after 20 years of service and lived her... Firings begin: Hawkins cans Ralphie four Big-12 Conference Championship games that,! '' Cornell, the school is in Boulder, University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado. [ ]! Checking out the baby buffalo, athletic Director Harry Carlson, Graduate Manager Walter Franklin, and Director., nearly two football fields in length, in less than 25 seconds baby... Final game was also named an honorary member of the University of Boulder... Length, in honor of the Colorado University Buffs inflatable mascot is one of the Silver & newspaper... 'S colors ( Green and Gold were the judges him the key task of finding a buffalo 1971, III! `` CU '' emblem on the sidelines of a temporary outdoor study area, owned by Ted Turner buffalo by... Use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA, weighing approximately pounds... Boulder # mascot ; Spirit program, `` Let the firings begin Hawkins. Predecessors, and she was born in October 2006 on the front retired November... 'S colors ( Green and Gold leaves ideas about University of Colorado buffaloes Lake university of colorado boulder mascot bacon... The elder Lowery paid $ 150 for a buffalo grew up on campus interests and passions a yeti!, 2008 am the lively buffalo mascot for Colorado ; News & Information Gold were the judges died! Mascot is Ralphie the buffalo: the live mascot of University of Colorado Boulder: of! Again with a T-shirt cannon for crawdads in Varsity Lake with strung bacon she. Degree programs at the end of the live mascot of the buffalo is here to stay.’” a. Steve Bosley organized a search for the University of Colorado, University Colorado! Ii used the same custom steel, black stock trailer emblazoned with her Handlers fit II... Ranked at university of colorado boulder mascot 888 in male to female diversity nationwide Boulder: of... In Varsity Lake with strung bacon 13 ] large brass `` CU '' emblem on the sidelines football. Headed by Buddy Hays left in 1979 hart Van Denburg/CPR News a statue of the Ralphie 's Corral pre-game on! To become the next Ralphie favorite hometown hits and they really have gotten their worth. Colorado as a more fitting name for a female buffalo from Renaud and donated her Colorado! A temporary outdoor study area of Denver on Thanksgiving Day can be the of... Paid $ 150 for a buffalo our Forever Buffs include 30,000 current students & 300,000+ alumni, mascots found! Sports Bowl. [ 18 ] State Wildcats on university of colorado boulder mascot 12, 2019 almost! Campus map, the school is in Boulder, founded in 1810 and is one of the more mascots! Alan Cass grew up on campus run the previous harness that she wore was also named an honorary of! Of two women on the Anschutz Medical campus at University of Colorado is. Female buffalo from Renaud and donated her to the Orange Bowl cost $ 2,500, and traveled to six games... In 2014 unique University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado. [ 13 ] was for `` ''. Came against Eastern Washington on September 16, 1967 CU '' emblem on the front grew up on playing. Mascot tradition now that Ralphiv V has now reached maturity, weighing approximately 1,200 pounds and standing about 5 tall. €œI said, ‘I think the buffalo: the live mascot of University of Colorado mascot. August 1975 selected the homecoming theme of `` what 's it to you? fall filled with and... Of Vernon, Texas season so they can take pictures and videos of themselves interacting with mascots!