Ralphie FAQs - University of Colorado Athletics

Ralphie is scheduled to run at every home CU Football game. She generlaly runs with 5 minutes on the game clock and with 4 minutes left in halftime. Make sure you get to your seat early so you don't miss her run! The best way to know where you can see Ralphie is to follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram (@cubuffsralphie).

Ralphie has always been a female buffalo because of their size and temperament. Male buffalo weigh over 2,000 pounds, stand over six feet tall at their hump, and while their speed is the same they are much stronger than female buffalo.

Ralphie VI is still growing, buffalo generally go through an initial growth spurt and then grow slowly until they are about 5 years old. Buffalo typically lose 10% of their body weight heading into winter. This natural cycle allows buffalo to gain weight when they are getting ready to have and nurse their calves in spring time. In contrast to female buffalo, males can weigh over 2,000 pounds and stand over 6 feet tall at the hump.

Absolutely not. Ralphie has never been sedated and never will be. We listen to what Ralphie needs. If Ralphie does not feeling like running, the Program Manger will cancel the run.

Buffalo can reach speeds over 25 miles per hour. Ralphie V is the fastest of all the Ralphies.

Ralphie V and VI are kept togehter at a private location. We keep their location as secret as possible to ensure their safety and serenity when they are not in the public eye.

Ralphie is transported in a highly customized aluminum and steel stock trailer that was purchased with donations to the program in 2019. This is the fourth trailer in the history of the Ralphie Program. Ralphie I, II, and III used a modified steel, brown, 4-horse trailer. In 1992 a custom steel, black stock trailer was purchased through a donation from Coors Brewing Company and used until 2012. A custom aluminum trailer was purchased with donations to the program in 2012 and used until 2019.

Ralphie wears a fully custom leather harness and headstall that lead ropes are attached to that the Handlers hold on to as Ralphie runs around the field. In 2016 a new black leather harness was built for Ralphie by Bill Jesser Saddlery, out of Longmont, Colorado. Prior to that there had been just 3 other harnesses used by the program. The first harness was used by Ralphie I and II, a second harness was used by Ralphie II and III, then a third harness was used by Ralphie III, IV, and V.

Buffalo is just a common term used to describe bison. Bison is the real name for the animal, but both are accepted and understood. In 2016 the bison became the official national mammal for the United States.

No. We are proud to maintain a very healthy lifestyle for Ralphie and would not see a reason or need for her to breed.

Once a year Ralphie’s veterinarian comes to give her an annual health inspection and her annual vaccinations. Veterinarians from the University of Colorado’s Office of Animal Resources (OAR) and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) do a biannual inspection and check-up of Ralphie and her ranch. Additionally, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service conducts surprise inspections of Ralphie and her ranch.

The whole team has an important job during a run. It takes five Handlers to run directly with Ralphie. Two up front to help guide her around the field, two in the middle, and one in the far back to help control her speed. The rest of the team stands in the field to keep Ralphie’s path clear of any obstructions, while also helping to guide her around the field. Ralphie VI is currenlty running without a person in the far back to control her speed.

The Ralphie Handler team consists of 15-18 athletes in the fall. Tryouts are held each fall and the newly selected Ralphie Handlers join team activities in the spring. This gives new Handlers a semester to learn about the program and workout with the team so they are mentally and physically prepared to run with Ralphie in the fall.

Ralphie Handlers are varsity student-athletes who spend 20-30 hours a week training and working with Ralphie. They volunteer their time and are not scholarship athletes.
Ralphie Handlers also do appearances throughout the year promoting the University and helping to educate the public about buffalo. The Handlers do earn a varsity letter for their time on the team. Though not a part of the NCAA, the Athletic Department does hold them to the same standards as all Colorado varsity athletes.

Applications to become a Ralphie Handler are available annually beginning in August. Tryouts are conducted each fall and more specific information is available here.

The care of Ralphie and her Handlers is funded entirely through donations, no amount is too small to make a difference!