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Some colleges have mascots — CU-Boulder has a 1,600-pound buffalo named Ralphie
CU-Boulder’s tradition of Running with Ralphie first started in 1967 and is a highlight of every home game.
This is the last in a series of three videos on college sports traditions with Four Points by Sheraton. Watch the first episode on Texas A&M’s yell leaders here and the second episode on Notre Dame’s band here.
Some colleges have marching bands. Others have cheerleaders; and others still have mascots. The University of Colorado Boulder has all of that, but it’s the only university that has Ralphie. Ralphie is the living mascot of CU-Boulder — a 1,600-pound female buffalo that has represented the school in athletic competitions since 1966. At the start of each home football game, Ralphie sprints onto Folsom Field ahead of the football team, guided by five Ralphie handlers. Four handlers run alongside her gripping her reins, and one supplies the brakes by holding her reins in the back. The rest of the team scatters around the field, guiding Ralphie in a horseshoe-shaped run in front of 7,000 cheering fans.
Ralphie handlers are an elite varsity team at CU-Boulder that consists of about 15 student-athletes. And since Ralphie can reach speeds of up to 25 miles per hour, the requirements for Ralphie handlers are rigorous. In a typical year of tryouts, only four new members are selected out of a field of 75 hopeful handlers. Ralphie handlers practice twice a week and spend 20 to 30 hours per week training, practicing, doing appearances, and caring for Ralphie.
Since 1966, the role of Ralphie has been filled by five different buffalos. The current Ralphie, Ralphie V, has served in her role since 2008 and has run a total of 60 games. “Ralphie has a personality,” says Rachel Demby, a Ralphie handler and junior at CU-Boulder. “She is sassy, she’s sweet, she’s angry sometimes. I kind of tell people she’s like any other woman.”
Watch Demby tell the story of Ralphie’s tradition in the video above.
Experience your own traditions when you stay at Four Points by Sheraton. With over 150 properties throughout the U.S. and Canada, you’ll never be far from a college football game day location.