Ralphie the Buffalo

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

Ralphie is the name of the live mascot of the University of Colorado Buffaloes. Ralphie has been called one of the best live mascots in sports,[1][2][3][4] and she is often erroneously labeled male.[5][6][7]

The University of Colorado Boulder has a unique mascot among those of intercollegiate athletics, a live buffalo mascot named Ralphie. Ralphie, with a team of varsity student-athletes called Ralphie Handlers, is a symbol of Buff pride and is best known for leading the football team onto the field on game day. As one of the most exclusive sights in college or professional sports, even opposing teams are excited to watch her round the end zone and fly by their sideline.

In their most famous appearances, a team of varsity student-athletes, Ralphie Handlers, run the buffalo around Folsom Field in a horse shoe pattern with the football team behind them at both the start of the game and the start of the second half. Five Ralphie Handlers run her around the field, four on either side of her to help guide her around the field and one in the back to control her speed. The rest of the team guides her from a distance, showing her the route. Ralphie and her Handlers can reach speeds of 25 miles per hour. Ralphie and her Handlers also make special appearances throughout the year talking to fans and educating Colorado Athletics, Ralphie, and buffalo in general.

Ralphie has always been a female bison because of their size and temperament. Males can be almost twice the size, although any gender of bison comes with some risk. Because Ralphie is a live animal, whether or not she runs at a football game is at the sole discretion of the Program Manager, who may cancel it if she is unusually nervous. Additionally, Ralphie’s run may also be canceled if field conditions are unsafe for either Ralphie or the Handlers.

History

In 1934 a contest in the Silver & Gold newspaper determined the school mascot to be the buffaloes. 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. 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. As far as luck though, Thanksgiving Day.

Prior to 1934, CU athletic teams were referred to as the Silver and Gold, Silver Helmets, Yellow Jackets, Hornets, Arapahoes, Big Horns, Grizzlies, and Frontiersmen. The student newspaper decided to sponsor a national contest in the summer of 1934, with a $5 prize to go to the author of the winning selection. Over 1,000 entries arrived from almost every state in the Nation. Athletic Director Harry Carlson, Graduate Manager Walter Franklin, and Kenneth Bundy of the Silver and Gold were the judges.

Local articles first reported that Claude Bates of New Madrid, Missouri, and James Proffitt of Cincinnati, Ohio, were co-winners for the prize as both submitted “Buffaloes” as their entry. However, a few days later, the newspaper declared Boulder resident Andrew Dickson the winner, after a follow-up investigation revealed his submission of “Buffaloes” had actually arrived several days before those of the original winners. Through the years, synonyms which quickly came into use included “Bisons,” “Buffs,” “Golden Avalanche,” and “Golden Buffaloes.”

Live buffaloes made appearances at Colorado games on and off throughout the early years, usually in a pen on the field or sometimes driven around in a trailer. In the 1940s, the school kept a baby buffalo in a special pen at the University Riding Academy. The first named buffalo was “Mr. Chips,” who appeared for the for by a men’s honorary society.

The original “Ralphie” was donated to Colorado in 1966. It was the duty of the five sophomore class officers to run the buffalo around the outside of the stadium with fans participating in the "Buffalo Stomp," shaking the ground at Folsom Field. However, that tradition was halted because of the actual physical damage “the stomp” was causing.

Around that same time, head football coach Eddie Crowder was approached with the idea of the buffalo charging out on the field before the game, the team closely following. Crowder thought it was a great idea, and the debut of this great tradition took place on October 28, 1967, Colorado’s homecoming game against Oklahoma State. Though OSU won the game 10-7, the greatest mascot tradition in college athletics was born.

The Ralphie Live Mascot Program has since evolved, becoming a prestigious athletic endeavor for 15 student athletes and buffalo enthusiasts. It is currently under the direction of Program Manager John Graves, longtime Coach Benny Frei, and Assistant Coach Taylor Stratton, all of whom were Handlers when they were students at Colorado.[8]

Ralphie I

Ralphie I served 1966–78

In 1966, John Lowery, the father of a Colorado freshman from Lubbock, Texas, donated a six-month old buffalo calf from Sedgewick, Colorado to the University. Lowery bought the calf from rancher Art Kashcke. Bill Lowery (John’s son), John McGill, Don Marturano, and Vic Reinking were the original Ralphie Handlers who trained Ralphie I. The original Handlers say she was named “Ralph” after the class president at the time, while another story says she was named “Ralph” after the sound she made while running. After it was noted that the buffalo was a female and Ralph was a male’s name, the name was changed to Ralphie.

The initial tradition was for five sophomore class officers to run the buffalo around the outside of the stadium in a full loop. At the conclusion of the tiring activities, the fans would break into the “Buffalo Stomp,” which would literally shake the stadium in deafening fashion as the team took the field. However, Colorado officials soon had the tradition stopped because of the actual physical damage it was causing. Ralphie first attended a game on October 1, 1966 when Colorado played Kansas State. She did not run at that game, but stood on the sideline. Colorado won the game 10-0.

Around that same time, head coach Eddie Crowder was approached with the idea of charging the buffalo out onto the field before the game, the team following closely behind. Crowder thought it was a great idea, and the debut of this great tradition took place on October 28, 1967, Colorado’s Homecoming game against Oklahoma State. Though Oklahoma State won the game 10-7, the tradition was here to stay. Ralphie’s first bowl game was the Bluebonnet Bowl on December 23, 1967, where Colorado beat Miami (FL) 31-21. The five sophomores that ‘handled’ her appointed themselves as the board of directors of a fundraising effort to bring Ralphie to Houston, raising the necessary money through marketing Ralphie’s potentially appearance.

In 1976, the President of The Bank of Boulder, Steve Bosley, proposed to Crowder they would do a fundraiser to send Ralphie to the Orange Bowl game with Ohio State. When a reporter asked Bosley how Ralphie would travel to Miami, he explained that the information was top secret since Colorado was concerned that Ohio State students would try to kidnap, or “buffalo-nap” Ralphie. The story of the potential “buffalo-napping” made newspapers nationwide, featuring a picture of Ralphie in full charge with her Handlers. The story stimulated over $25,000 in donations. Ralphie’s trip to the Orange Bowl cost $2,500, and the balance was put into a fund for Ralphie’s future care.

Ralphie I attended every Colorado home football game for 13 years, including all bowl games, and retired at the end of the 1978 season. The team matured too, selecting and training knowledgeable Handlers. Colorado’s first Ralphie achieved nationally celebrity status, and was even kidnapped in 1970 by some Air Force Academy students, as well as being named Colorado’s 1971 Homecoming Queen at the height of the anti-establishment era.

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. “Buddy” Hays. Hays not only cared for and trained Ralphie, he was also the coach of the Colorado Rodeo Club. The Ralphie Handlers would also practice and work with Ralphie in the arena of Green Meadows Riding Stable. 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. Ralphie I lived at Hidden Valley Ranch until 1981 when she moved to the McKenzie Ranch located in North Boulder. Ralphie traveled in a modified steel, brown 4-horse trailer, donated by Hays. She used a custom harness and headstall made by Ray Cornell out of Boulder, Colorado that lead ropes were attached to allow the Handlers to run with and help guide her around the field.

Ralphie I also had four calves. In October 1970, Ralphie’s first calf unfortunately died during a strong snowstorm. In May 1972, Buffie, named by Colorado students, was born, but died from pneumonia in the fall of 1973. In April 1974, her third calf, Streaker, was born, but died from an accident on the ranch. Her fourth and final calf was Spirit who was born in August 1975. Spirit made her public debut at the 1975 homecoming parade. She was sold to a local rancher shortly after, and never ran at a football game. Ralphie I’s final game was on November 4, 1978 against Oklahoma. Colorado lost 7-28. Ralphie I died on May 13, 1982, she was 17 years old.[9]

Ralphie II

Ralphie II served 1978–87

In 1978, when Ralphie I became ill, Steve Bosley organized a search for a new buffalo headed by Buddy Hays. Hays discovered a calf named Moon, short for Moonshine, owned by Gregg C. Mackenzie. Bosley, The Bank of Boulder, and bank Director Robert Confer bought Moonshine from Mackenzie and donated her to Colorado. Since “Ralphie” had become the well-known name of the buffalo, Athletic Director Eddie Crowder made it permanent. Mackenzie continued to train Ralphie II. Ralphie II lived at Hidden Valley Ranch until 1981, when she moved to the McKenzie Ranch located in North Boulder. In 1985 Johnnie and Shaaron Parker took over the program and the training of Ralphie II as well as housed her at the Parker Ranch in Hudson, Colorado.

Ralphie II made her debut on November 18, 1978, the final home game of the season, and last game for head coach Bill Mallory. Colorado lost 16-20 to Iowa State. But the Ralphie Program and name became a tradition. In 1985 Colorado selected the homecoming theme of “Ralphie goes to Hollywood.” In 1986 Ralphie made the trip to Oklahoma and ran at the Colorado vs Oklahoma State game and stayed at OSU’s veterinary clinic. Students from Oklahoma State University broke into the clinic that night and spray painted “OSU” in orange letters. Ralphie II was transported around in the same modified steel, brown 4-horse trailer that Ralphie I used. Initially Ralphie II used the same custom leather harness that Ralphie I used, but used a different headstall. The harness was modified to fit Ralphie II’s bigger size than Ralphie I’s. In 1986 a new harness and headstall was used by Ralphie, this one was built by Carl W. Pike Saddlery out of Boulder, Colorado, the same company who modified the original harness to fit Ralphie II. The new headstall featured the iconic brass “CU” emblem on the front of the headstall. While always a part of the Athletic Department, it was not until 1987 when Ralphie Handlers first earned a Varsity Letter for their participation.

Pictured above are handlers Todd Benson (84), Ken Kramer (83) and Kirk Petrik (83).

She was expected to retire at the end of the 1987 season. 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.[10]

Ralphie III

Ralphie III served 1987–97

In June 1985 Chuck Brackenbury was out mending fences on the Joe Miller Ranch outside of Laramie, Wyoming, when he noticed a buffalo giving birth early in the morning. He checked back later that night and discovered the mom had died during labor, but the calf was still alive just standing there all alone. He brought the calf back to his ranch where she was bottle-fed and raised with horses and a goat. Brackenbury eventually sold her to Bob Renaud, a buffalo rancher in Hudson, Colorado. In 1987, Johnnie and Shaaron Parker bought the 2-year old buffalo from Renaud and donated her to Colorado. Parker also trained and housed her. Ralphie III was a lot bigger and faster than her two predecessors.

Ralphie III was brought into action earlier than anticipated, making her debut on November 7, 1987 at a home game against Missouri. Originally named "Tequila," Ralphie III was being trained for the 1988 season, as Ralphie II was to retire following the 1987 season. When Ralphie II died earlier than anticipated, and after only five weeks of training, Ralphie III finished the 1987 season. The Buffs welcomed her with a 27-10 victory over Missouri.

In 1991, Ted Davis joined the program as a coach. In 1995, Gail Pederson began helping with the Ralphie Program behind the scenes, overseeing all the logistics, scheduling, and planning for the program. Ralphie III was initially transported in the same modified steel, brown 4-horse trailer that carried Ralphie I and II, but in 1996, a new custom steel, black stock trailer was purchased for Ralphie through a donation from Coors Brewing Company. Initially she used the same harness and headstall that was used by Ralphie II. In 1989 a new harness and headstall was used, again with a large brass “CU” on the front of the headstall. The new harness and headstall was built by M. King Saddlery out of Boulder, Colorado.

Ralphie III led the Buffaloes on the field in 72 games, including 62 times in Boulder, eight bowl games, and two times in Fort Collins. After over 10 years of service, she died in January 1998, at the age of 11. Her final game was against Nebraska on November 28, 1997. Colorado lost 24-27.

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 bison 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."[11]

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.

Ralphie IV was born in April 1997 on the Flying D Ranch in Gallatin Gateway, Montana, a part of Turner Ranches, the largest buffalo ranching operation in the United States. Named “Rowdy” by ranch hands, she was separated from her mother when she was about a month old and was literally found in the jaws of a coyote with bite marks around her neck. She survived the attack and was bottle-fed by the ranch hands for four months. She was released back to the herd, but would not bond with them. She was then donated to Colorado as a yearling in the early spring of 1998. Johnnie Parker, who trained and housed both Ralphie II and III, brought her back to Colorado from Montana and supervised all of her early training.

Parker retired from the program in May 1999, after 15 years of working with the program, and housing and training Ralphie II, III, and IV. 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. 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. Priola still houses Ralphie IV. Ralphie IV was transported in the same custom steel, black stock trailer that carried Ralphie III. She also used the same harness and headstall that was used by Ralphie III.

Ralphie IV weighs in at about 1,100 pounds, over three times her weight when she made her debut against Colorado State University at Mile High Stadium in Denver on September 5, 1998. Colorado won 42-14. Her final game was also against Colorado State University on August 31, 2008. Colorado won that game 38-17. Ralphie IV is now retired and lives in Henderson, Colorado.[12]

Ralphie V

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

The newest addition to the Colorado mascot family is Ralphie V. Like Ralphie IV, Ralphie V was donated to Colorado from a Ted Turner buffalo ranch. She was born in October 2006 on the Vermejo Park Ranch in northern New Mexico. As the darkest calf in the herd, she was named "Blackout" by ranch hands. Ralphie Program Directors Benny Frei and Kevin Priola worked with Barney Coppedge, the Bison Manager at Vermejo Park Ranch, to bring Ralphie V to Colorado. Frei continues to house Ralphie V.

Ralphie V was introduced to Buffs fans at "Ralphie’s Salute to a New Era" on November 17, 2007. A little over one-year-old, she weighed in at only 450 pounds. Her debut game run came against Eastern Washington on September 6, 2008. Colorado won that game 31-24. Ralphie V is by far the fastest and largest of all the previous buffaloes.

Ralphie V has now reached maturity, weighing approximately 1,200 pounds and standing about 5 feet tall at her hump. Her growing has stopped, but not her speed. She currently completes her run around Folsom Field, nearly two football fields in length, in approximately 25 seconds.

At the end of the 2008 season, Priola retired from the program, and John Graves, a former Ralphie Handler, was brought on as the Assistant Director. In the summer of 2015 Graves was promoted to Program Manager, replacing Gail Pederson who retired after 20 years of helping the program. Graves now oversees the day to day activities of the program and the training of the Handlers and Ralphie. In the spring of 2016 Taylor Stratton, also a former Ralphie Handler, was brought on as the new Assistant Coach.

Ralphie V was initially transported in the same custom steel, black stock trailer that carried Ralphie III and IV. 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. 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. The brass CU logo was made by Ray “Butch” Cornell, the son of Ray Cornell who built the first Ralphie harness. The previous harness that she wore was also worn by Ralphie III and IV.

Ralphie V makes many appearances throughout the school year to support Colorado and the University. During football seasons, she attends 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.[13]

Ralphie Handlers

The Ralphie Handlers are varsity student-athletes who run with Ralphie, take her to appearances, and care for her year round. On an average week during football season, Ralphie Handlers will volunteer 20–30 hours to the program in training, practicing, appearances, and caring for the beloved mascot. In the off season they still put forth 20 hours a week toward the program, always caring for Ralphie and staying in top shape to be able to run with Ralphie.[14]

Workouts & Practice

Ralphie Handlers have a specially-designed workout that they do twice a week, created and supervised by Program Manager John Graves. They work on overall strength and speed, as well perform Olympic lifts to focus on quick and explosive movements with heavy weight.

Ralphie and her Handlers practice two times a week. In Folsom Field, Ralphie runs in a traditional right hand turn “horseshoe” run. Handlers primarily practice this run, working on the depth and width of the run, as well as the turn and, of course, speed. They also practice running with Ralphie in a straight line, as used for her trips to Mile High Stadium for the Rocky Mountain Showdown, and in an “L” shape for her annual soccer game run. Ralphie and her Handlers also practice a non-traditional left hand “horseshoe” run, which is used when they run at the National Western Stock Show.

For special occasions, the Handlers can run in patterns that appear like a “ribbon” or “tear drop.” These runs help the team and Ralphie be flexible to accommodate any event venue where they may run.

Appearances with Ralphie

Ralphie Handlers also do appearances with Ralphie throughout the year to promote the University and the Athletic Department, as well as to educate the public about buffalo in general. Appearances are pre-determined by the Athletic Department.

Ralphie of course runs at all Colorado home football games, bowl games, conference championship games, and very occasionally makes a special trip to a regular season away game. She also makes an appearance and runs at one soccer game a year, at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, and at the Fourth of July celebration held at Folsom Field. Ralphie and her Handlers also attend other Colorado athletic sporting events to support other varsity sports.

Special appearances can be arranged with donations to the program that will go to the program to help cover costs of Ralphie’s care and other expenses associated with keeping this great tradition going.

The Team

The Ralphie Live Mascot Program is under the direction of Program Manager John Graves, longtime Coach Benny Frei, and Assistant Coach Taylor Stratton. John, Benny, and Taylor were Ralphie Handlers when they were students at Colorado. They provide the training for Ralphie and her Handlers, and coordinate the care for Ralphie. The team consists of approximately 15 student-athletes made up of both males and females. The Handlers earn a varsity letter for each year they are on the team. 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 all other varsity athletes in the department, including minimum GPA requirements, full course load, and other rules. The first female Handler joined the team in 1993. Females have had a strong presence in the Program ever since.[15]

Originally the students who ran with Ralphie were called “The Men Who Run with Ralphie.” In the 1970’s the term for the students changed to Ralphie Runners, as a direct representation of the feat that they did with Ralphie at each game. As the team and the program became more formalized and regulated, the term for the students became Ralphie Handlers in the early 1990’s. The responsibilities and duties for the students that were on the team increase from just running with Ralphie, to also assisting in her overall care and maintenance, the reasoning behind changing their name from Ralphie Runners to Ralphie Handlers.[15]

Traditions

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

Ralphie runs at all home football games, as well as bowl games, and conference championship games. Over the years of the program, Ralphie has made a handful of special trips to lead the team onto the field at away games as well. Colorado is one of only a few schools where the home team comes out team does not get in the way of Ralphie running.

Ralphie sometimes displays a custom-made banner that reads "GO CU" on one side, and "Beat [the opposing team]" on the other side, such as "Beat CSU."

Ralphie travels to home games and appearances in a highly customized aluminum stock trailer, purchased in 2012 through generous donations. Ralphie and her trailer are pulled through the infamous University Hill neighborhood before games to excite student fans on her way to the stadium.

Each year the Ralphie Handlers take a yearly trip to a buffalo ranch to learn more about buffalo, and see just how big male bison can get.

Ralphie is held in a secret location so that she will not be harassed or harmed, keeping her and the public safe.[16]

Records[17]

When Colorado introduces a new buffalo, the team has a record of 3-2. Additionally, when the retiring Ralphie runs at her last game team has a record of 2-2.

Conference Championship Game Runs (team record of 1-3):

Bowl Game Runs (team record of 9-14):

Mile High Stadium Game Runs (team record of 9-6):

Away Stadium Game Runs (team record of 5-2):

Spring Football Games:

Ralphie makes a special run before the start of a Colorado Women’s Soccer game every year. When she runs before a soccer game the team has a record of 4-5.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Kevin Donahue (2005-12-27). "Let the firings begin: Hawkins cans Ralphie?". fanblogs.com. Retrieved 2007-01-24.
  2. ↑ Nathan (2006-06-14). "The Only Analysis That Matters - Part 4". goldentornado.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2007-01-24.
  3. ↑ Pete Fiutak (2007-08-25). "College Football's Top 25 Mascots". CollegeFootballNews.com. Retrieved 2007-08-28.
  4. ↑ Kyle Ringo (2007-11-28). "Ralphie best college mascot". DailyCamera.com. Archived from the original on December 18, 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-28.
  5. ↑ Joe Walljasper (2005-11-06). "On field, Colorado steady as they come in Big 12 North". Columbia Tribune. Retrieved 2007-01-24.
  6. ↑ Gigantino, Artie (2003-09-22). "Buffaloes have traveled a rough road to Florida State". Accessmylibrary.com. Retrieved 2007-01-24.
  7. ↑ Drew (2006-09-16). "Blushing buffs". Rocky Mountain News. Retrieved 2007-01-24. (The author states lower on the page the "him" was done on purpose.)
  8. ↑ "Colorado Buffs". www.cubuffs.com. Retrieved 2016-07-04.
  9. ↑ "Colorado Buffs". www.cubuffs.com. Retrieved 2016-07-04.
  10. ↑ "Colorado Buffs". www.cubuffs.com. Retrieved 2016-07-04.
  11. ↑ "Colorado Buffs". www.cubuffs.com. Retrieved 2016-07-04.
  12. ↑ "Colorado Buffs". www.cubuffs.com. Retrieved 2016-07-04.
  13. ↑ "Colorado Buffs". www.cubuffs.com. Retrieved 2016-07-04.
  14. ↑ "The Handlers - Colorado Buffs". www.cubuffs.com. Retrieved 2016-07-04.
  15. 1 2 "About the Handlers - Colorado Buffs". www.cubuffs.com. Retrieved 2016-07-04.
  16. ↑ "Colorado Buffs". www.cubuffs.com. Retrieved 2016-07-04.
  17. ↑ "Ralphie Traditions & Records - Colorado Buffs". www.cubuffs.com. Retrieved 2016-07-04.
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