2017-18 Ralphie Handlers
McKee, Emerson
Emerson McKee
- Weight:
- null
- Class:
- Senior
- Hometown:
- Boulder, Colo.
- High School:
- Boulder
- Major:
- Integrative Physiology
Bio
What sparked your interest in the Ralphie program?
In high school I ran track and field and my coach, Blake Gouin was a Ralphie Handler at the time. After four years of running track, Blake asked me if I was interested in running the Buffalo at CU. I had lived in Boulder for most of my life and loved watching Ralphie run at the football games. So during freshmen year at CU, my main goal was to make the Ralphie team.
What does Ralphie mean to you?
She means the world to me. Ralphie is the greatest live-animal mascot in the nation. Ralphie leads the team out on the field for every home game and motives the fans, the football team, and the Ralphie Handlers.
What's the hardest part of being a Ralphie Handler?
Having patience and waiting for your turn to run the buffalo is the hardest part. We have fifteen handlers all wanting to run with Ralphie but there are only five people that can run with her at one time. Everyone on the team gets their turn to run with her, and waiting is worth it.
What's the best part of being a Ralphie Handler?
All of the Ralphie Handlers and Coaches are amazing. It is always a blast being around the team and the team is my second family. We all care for each other and we want everyone to succeed.
What's one thing that surprises people the most when they ask you about being a Ralphie Handler?
I think most people are surprised about how much preparation and work the team puts in during the summer and fall. We lift two days a week and also practice with Buffalo another two days of the week. When we aren't practicing, most of us go out to the pen and help out with the buffalo.
What's one thing about Ralphie that surprised you the most after becoming a Ralphie Handler?
I was also very surprised about how much work we put into making this program as great as it can be. Almost everyday in the fall the team has something to do for the program. It is a lot of work but everyday with the team gets better.
What are your hobbies?
My hobbies are go-karting, rafting, longboarding, snowboarding, beating Colton Behr in chess, and hiking in the mountains.
What are three things that make you unique?
Besides being a Ralphie Handler, I am also a local Younglife leader at Boulder High School. I am somehow ridiculously good at bowling and I get to run with a buffalo.
In high school I ran track and field and my coach, Blake Gouin was a Ralphie Handler at the time. After four years of running track, Blake asked me if I was interested in running the Buffalo at CU. I had lived in Boulder for most of my life and loved watching Ralphie run at the football games. So during freshmen year at CU, my main goal was to make the Ralphie team.
What does Ralphie mean to you?
She means the world to me. Ralphie is the greatest live-animal mascot in the nation. Ralphie leads the team out on the field for every home game and motives the fans, the football team, and the Ralphie Handlers.
What's the hardest part of being a Ralphie Handler?
Having patience and waiting for your turn to run the buffalo is the hardest part. We have fifteen handlers all wanting to run with Ralphie but there are only five people that can run with her at one time. Everyone on the team gets their turn to run with her, and waiting is worth it.
What's the best part of being a Ralphie Handler?
All of the Ralphie Handlers and Coaches are amazing. It is always a blast being around the team and the team is my second family. We all care for each other and we want everyone to succeed.
What's one thing that surprises people the most when they ask you about being a Ralphie Handler?
I think most people are surprised about how much preparation and work the team puts in during the summer and fall. We lift two days a week and also practice with Buffalo another two days of the week. When we aren't practicing, most of us go out to the pen and help out with the buffalo.
What's one thing about Ralphie that surprised you the most after becoming a Ralphie Handler?
I was also very surprised about how much work we put into making this program as great as it can be. Almost everyday in the fall the team has something to do for the program. It is a lot of work but everyday with the team gets better.
What are your hobbies?
My hobbies are go-karting, rafting, longboarding, snowboarding, beating Colton Behr in chess, and hiking in the mountains.
What are three things that make you unique?
Besides being a Ralphie Handler, I am also a local Younglife leader at Boulder High School. I am somehow ridiculously good at bowling and I get to run with a buffalo.
Ralphie makes her 2024 debut at the CU Freshman Welcome
Saturday, August 24
Ralphie Handlers and the Parkers
Sunday, August 18
Ralphie 2013
Friday, June 28
Here Comes Ralphie 2024
Wednesday, May 22