Ralphie
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Ralphie the buffalo is the mascot of the University of Colorado.
Handlers, known as "Ralphie Runners", run Ralphie around Folsom Field, the University of Colorado's football field, before each half of each home game. The position of "Ralphie Runner" is a coveted one on campus. The Runners hold their own tryouts and practices, like any other sport team on campus.
Ralphie can reach speeds of 25 miles per hour. Female bison are used because they are smaller and less aggressive, although Ralphie has knocked over her handlers on more than one occasion, much to the bemusement of onlookers. Because of this, whether or not Ralphie runs is at the sole discretion of her handlers, and her run may be canceled if she is unusually nervous or upset.
Contrary to the nickname, Ralphie is actually a bison. The current Ralphie, Ralphie IV, was born in 1998 at the Montana ranch of Ted Turner, who donated her to the school. Ralphie IV, almost full grown and mature, weighs in at about 1,300 pounds, over three times her weight when she made her debut against Colorado State University at Mile High Stadium in Denver on Sept. 5, 1998. Her home is now in nearby Henderson. Her exact location remains a secret because of previous attempts by rival schools to kidnap Ralphie, or otherwise render her unable to run.
She also travels to select "away" games, when permitted by the rules of the host stadium.
