Shai Diasti

Class:
Sophomore
Hometown:
Tampa, Flor.
High School:
Berkeley Preparatory School
Major:
Operations Management & Real Estate

WHAT SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN THE RALPHIE PROGRAM?
Growing up, I always loved working with and around animals, but I never had the chance to combine that passion with athletics, which often kept me busy. When I first saw videos of Ralphie running with her handlers, I knew I had finally found the sport I’d been searching for. I set my mind on joining the Ralphie Program, and I’ve been glad I did every day since.

WHAT DOES RALPHIE MEAN TO YOU?
To me, Ralphie represents everything that makes CU Boulder such a special university. She’s the face of the greatest tradition in all of college football, and being part of her team is a reminder that I’m representing something much greater than myself.

WHAT'S THE HARDEST PART OF BEING A RALPHIE HANDLER?
The hardest part of being a Ralphie Handler is the year-round commitment. Early morning workouts, afternoon events, and late-night games are all part of the job during the season. Even in the offseason, we continue training multiple times a week and stay active throughout the summer.

WHAT'S THE BEST PART OF BEING A RALPHIE HANDLER?
The best part of being a Ralphie Handler is the strong bond built between the team, our coaches, and Ralphie herself. Team morale is incredibly high, and everything we do is centered around supporting one another and accomplishing big goals together. Whether we’re on the field, at the weight room, in class, or enjoying our weekends, it’s rare to find us far from our teammates.

WHAT'S ONE THING THAT SURPRISES PEOPLE THE MOST WHEN THEY ASK YOU ABOUT BEING A
RALPHIE HANDLER?
People are often surprised to learn that the Ralphie Handlers are recognized varsity-level athletes. We train just like any other varsity teams with early morning workouts, strict expectations, and a commitment to performing at the highest level both physically and mentally. There’s a lot more to the program than meets the eye.

WHAT'S ONE THING ABOUT RALPHIE THAT SURPRISED YOU THE MOST AFTER BECOMING A
RALPHIE HANDLER?
I was surprised by how social she is! Ralphie pays close attention to how we interact with her, and once she understands what we’re teaching, she picks it up incredibly fast. It’s clear she doesn’t just follow routine, but rather learns and builds connections with us as we train. She truly is a herd animal at heart.

WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES?
Some of my favorite activities are fishing, hunting, backcountry camping, flying small planes, riding motorcycles, snowboarding, and playing my guitar.