Buffs Notes: Tributes Roll In For Ralphie IV, Lacrosse Gains National Attention

BOULDER — Tributes to the late Ralphie IV were quick to roll in Monday morning as news spread that Colorado's retired mascot had died.

They came from former players, coaches, members of the media and fans. What was quickly reinforced is that CU's unique mascot is clearly one of the nation's most-recognized and most-loved. A sampling of the social media reaction:

From former Buffs quarterback Joel Klatt:

The amazing Ralphie IV has passed...It was my great honor to run behind her for 4 yrs! #restwell https://t.co/KIj39SMmMB
— Joel Klatt (@joelklatt) March 20, 2017

From former Buffs WR and current assistant coach Darrin Chiaverini:

RIP sweet girl! I remember running behind you for your first run in 1998! You will be missed! https://t.co/pPqDCVCVs5
— Darrin Chiaverini (@CoachChev6) March 20, 2017

A sampling from from fans:

@cubuffs I saw Ralphie run in 2001 at my first ever CU game. It was Nebraska vs CU. One of the coolest things I've ever seen.
— RJ Kobza (@kobzachipmaker) March 20, 2017

Rowdy will always be the first buffalo i ever fell in love with. ??
— Karen (@LovelyCorrin) March 20, 2017

I saw her run for the first time in 2005 and it was in that moment, at 10 years old, that I decided I was going to be a Buff. RIP Rowdy. https://t.co/l54xobHtJn
— ____ (@BuffEmUp) March 20, 2017

There's no better mascot in sports and no better entrance in football. Sorry to hear about the passing of Ralphie IV. https://t.co/q3kRwsVaT0
— Aaron Daniel (@AaronDaniel1987) March 20, 2017

What's clear is that Ralphie has left an indelible mark on the program. This year the University will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Ralphie program, and we invite you all to follow along.

LACROSSE KEEPS ROLLING: What started out this season as a neat story with some big potential is turning into a national story backed up by some excellent production.

Now in just its fourth year of existence, Coach Ann Elliott's lacrosse program is turning heads from one coast to the other, currently boasting a 9-0 record and a No. 4 national ranking in two of the three major polls (sixth in the other). The Buffs started the season receiving a handful of votes in the polls, but after four wins over top-20 teams, they've steadily climbed the ranks and are gathering new believers every week.

The Buffs have just two regular season home games remaining, beginning with Saturday's noon matchup against Fresno State at Kittredge Field. They finish the regular season with a tough road stretch, a four-game stint that begins with an April 14 game at USC, currently ranked 10th in the nation.

MARCHING BACK TO BOULDER? First-year women's basketball coach J.R. Payne has guided the Buffs to the third round of the WNIT — and if the Buffs can get a win Thursday at Iowa (6 p.m. tipoff), there's a very good chance they could host a game this weekend.

The Buffs opened the tournament with a 66-52 win over UNLV, then followed up with an 81-75 overtime win at South Dakota State. At 17-15, Payne's team has already clinched a winning record this year. A win over the 19-13 Hawkeyes would give Payne a shot at her 19th win, the most by a first-year coach in the program since Sox Walseth recorded a 28-5 record in the 1980-81 season.

If the Buffs do get a win Thursday in Iowa City, they could host a national quarterfinal game either Saturday or Sunday, and be one win away from a WNIT Final Four berth.

GROWING IN SENIORITY: With two veteran Pac-12 men's coaches leaving their programs — Washington's Lorenzo Romar and Cal's Cuonzo Martin — it leaves Arizona's Sean Miller as the leader in conference seniority, with Colorado's Tad Boyle and Oregon's Dana Altman right behind.

Miller's first year in Tucson was the 2009-10 season — one year ahead of Boyle's arrival at Colorado and Altman's first year in Eugene.

Boyle's Buffs finished this season with a 19-15 record — his sixth winning season in his seven years in Boulder — and CU's seventh straight appearance in the postseason. The Buffs also recorded wins over two teams that will play this week in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. Colorado knocked off Xavier in December, 68-66, then beat Oregon in January, 74-65.

Boyle will coach one more game this season, as he'll coach one of the squads in the annual NABC All-Star game in Phoenix the Friday prior to the NCAA semifinals.

HOT START: After a successful indoor season, the Colorado track and field teams aren't missing a beat as they roll into the outdoor season.

The Buffs captured 10 first-place finishes over the weekend in the Jerry Quiller Classic, with several notable performances. Jaron Thomas ran a 14.13 in the 110-meter hurdles, a time that might be good enough already to qualify him for the NCAA Regionals. Rajon O'Quinn ran a 23.79 in the 200 meters, a personal best and also a time that is knocking on the door of an NCAA qualifying berth.

HOME STRETCH: Roy Edwards' men's golf team, currently ranked No. 19 in the nation by GolfStat, is aiming for a strong regular season finish before playing host to the Pac-12 championships, April 28-30 at Boulder Country Club.

The Buffs will play in The Goodwin, hosted by Stanford on March 30-April 1, then play in The Maxwell, hosted by Oklahoma, April 14-15 in Edmond, Okla.

AND FINALLY … Don't underestimate the importance of being named a team captain. CU's football team announced its six 2017 captains over the weekend — Phillip Lindsay, Jeromy Irwin, Derek McCartney, George Frazier, Afolabi Laguda and Rick Gamboa — and it's obvious they will take the job seriously.

"It's an honor for my teammates to see me as a guy they would want to lead them out on Saturday," Laguda said. "I appreciate that — it's better than any accolade you could win. I always remember this."

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu