The Colorado buffalo mascot name is an important aspect of the University of Colorado's identity. The university's mascot is a live buffalo named Ralphie, who is a beloved symbol of school spirit and pride. Ralphie has been a tradition at the university since 1967 and is known for leading the football team onto the field before each home game. The name Ralphie was chosen in honor of a local named Ralph Backstrom, who was a former NHL player and a donor to the university. Ralphie is a female buffalo, which is unusual as male buffalo are typically the ones used as mascots. However, the university chose a female buffalo because they are generally smaller and more manageable than their male counterparts.
University Of Colorado's Live Buffalo Mascot To Retire Because She Runs Too Fast
Ralphie V, mascot of the Colorado Buffaloes, is led onto the field before the team's game against the Arizona Wildcats at Folsom Field on Oct. 5 in Boulder, Colo.
After 12 seasons of leading the University of Colorado Boulder's football team onto the field, Ralphie V, the 13-year-old, 1,200-pound buffalo, is officially retiring as the school's mascot.
The reason? The athletic department says she's too fast.
"With past Ralphies, as they aged, their speed typically decreased; with Ralphie V, she has been so excited to run that she was actually running too fast, which created safety concerns for her and her handlers," according to press release from the university.
"She also wasn't consistently responding to cues from her handlers," the press release continued. "And her temperament was such that she was held back from leading the team out for CU's last two home games against USC and Stanford."
The Ralphie tradition goes back to 1934 at CU and has evolved over the years. This is the 53rd season that a live buffalo has led the team out on the field.
Ralphie V retires as the second-longest-serving Ralphie in the program's history running a total of 76 times. The original Ralphie ran 78 games over 12 seasons, according to the press release.
"As one of the biggest and fastest Ralphies, her love for running and power was showcased every home game during her career," John Graves, Ralphie Program manager since 2015 and a one-time handler said in a statement. "It's almost like she knew she was the queen of campus, and she loved to show that fact off when she ran onto the field and at her public appearances."
Ralphies run the field with a group of CU volunteer handlers, who are all varsity student-athletes. It's a physically demanding job; handlers have to train and practice five days a week to stay in physical shape to keep up with the buffalo.
CU's Ralphies — though formally bison and not buffaloes -- are beloved by students and often called one of the best live mascots in college sports.
But not everyone is a fan of these types of mascots, and the question of using animals in this way has come up recently.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals says live-animal mascots score an "F."
"Regardless of the length of time that they're kept in captivity, lions, tigers, bears, and other exotic animals don't 'get used to' being in public settings," an article on the organization's website says.
Earlier this year, PETA called on the University of Texas and the University of Georgia to end their use of live mascots after an incident where Bevo, the Texas Longhorns mascot, charged Uga, the Georgia Bulldogs dog mascot, before the teams' bowl game matchup.
"It's indefensible to subject animals to the stress of being packed up, carted from state to state, and paraded in front of a stadium full of screaming fans," PETA Senior Vice President Lisa Lange said in a statement.
PETA suggests universities use "costumed human mascots" instead.
"It's no surprise that a skittish steer would react to a perceived threat by charging, and PETA is calling on the University of Texas and the University of Georgia to learn from this dangerous incident, retire their live-animal mascots, and stick to the talented costumed mascots who can lead cheers, react to the crowd, and pump up the team," Lange said.
Still in good health, Ralphie V will spend her retirement on a ranch under the care of the program. Her handlers keep the location a secret, so fans don't overwhelm her and so opposing fans don't find out and harass or kidnap her, The Washington Post reports.
The university has been preparing for her replacement and officials are currently in the process of identifying potential candidates for their next mascot, who will be named Ralphie VI.
Ralphie V's final appearance will be during Colorado's final home game against Washington on Nov. 23, but she won't be running. She'll be a spectator in her pen, according to university officials.
Colorado Buffaloes Logo
Founded in 1980, the team from the University of Colorado Boulder boasts a powerful and convincing mascot that matches its name. The original contrasting design and striking monogram make the Colorado Buffaloes logo dynamic and demonstrate strength and perseverance.
Colorado Buffaloes: Brand overview
| Founded: | 1980 |
| Headquarters: | Boulder, Colorado, U.S. |
| Website: | cubuffs.com |
In 2002, the University of Colorado Boulder entered the top twenty of America’s best sports colleges. It owns seventeen teams known as the Colorado Buffaloes, also referred to as the Buffs. The nickname Buffaloes was approved in 1934 when the school’s management held a contest for the best name for the sports department. The person who proposed the winning option received the promised prize of $5. The university participates in NCAA Division I/FBS and is a member of the Pac-12 conference.
However, the university chose a female buffalo because they are generally smaller and more manageable than their male counterparts. Ralphie is cared for by a team of handlers who work closely with her to ensure her safety and well-being. The team of handlers undergoes extensive training and works closely with Ralphie to develop a bond and establish trust.
Meaning and History
The team’s name reflects its mascot and nickname. Back in 1980, artists depicted a silhouette of a running bison on the logo. This image was so successful that it was retained in subsequent redesigns, with only the color palette changed. Thus, it has remained in its original form to this day. While the first version was brown, the bison is now blue with a pale gold outline. A light line drawn along the edge made the drawing complete, and a white horn in the shape of a droplet added contrast.
What is Colorado Buffaloes?
The Colorado Buffaloes are a sports department consisting of 17 teams representing the University of Colorado Boulder. They participate in the Pac-12 conference, compete in the NCAA (FBS), are members of the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association (skiers), and belong to the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.
1980 – 1984
1985 – 2005
2006 – today
Another element of the logo that has rarely changed is the monogram composed of the first letters of Colorado Buffaloes. The lower part of the letter “C” and the left part of the letter “U” intersect in the center. This combination looks like a complex geometric figure. Serifs disrupt the symmetry at the edges of the “U” and the curved ends of the “C.” Otherwise, both letters are similar: they lack smooth curves and have many angles. In 2006, the font became italicized. This added dynamism to the image, as the monogram is positioned directly on the side of the bison.
This allows them to safely guide her onto the field and back to her trailer after each game. The tradition of Ralphie running onto the field is one that is highly anticipated by fans and has become an iconic part of University of Colorado football games. The sight of Ralphie thundering across the field with her handlers in tow is a thrilling experience for everyone in attendance. In addition to her role at football games, Ralphie also makes appearances at other university events and even participates in parades. She is a true symbol of school spirit and pride and is loved by students, alumni, and fans alike. Overall, the Colorado buffalo mascot name is an integral part of the University of Colorado's identity and tradition. Ralphie the buffalo is a beloved symbol of school spirit and pride and has become an iconic figure at football games and other university events..
Reviews for "Exploring the Popularity of Colorado's Buffalo Mascot Name Among Fans"
1. Mark Davis - 2 stars - I am honestly disappointed in the choice of the Buffalo mascot's name. "Colorado Buffalo" is so generic and unoriginal. With such a rich history and unique culture in Colorado, I expected the name to reflect that. It's a missed opportunity to come up with something more meaningful and representative of the state.
2. Sarah Thompson - 1 star - I can't believe they settled on such a bland name for the Colorado buffalo mascot. It lacks creativity and fails to capture the essence of the state and its buffalo heritage. I was really hoping for something more inspiring and memorable. Overall, it's a major letdown.
3. John Simmons - 2 stars - I was expecting the Colorado buffalo mascot name to be more creative, something that would truly represent the state's spirit and traditions. Unfortunately, "Colorado Buffalo" falls flat in that regard. It's just unimaginative and lacks any real personality. I'm sure they could have come up with a better name that resonates with the fans and reflects the unique culture of Colorado.
4. Ashley Johnson - 1 star - I find the Colorado buffalo mascot name to be disappointingly generic. It doesn't stand out or make any kind of statement. It's just another boring and forgettable name in the world of sports mascots. I had hoped for something more exciting and original, but unfortunately, that's not what we got.
5. Michael Wilson - 2 stars - The choice of "Colorado Buffalo" as the mascot name is quite underwhelming. It feels like they took the easy and safe option instead of going for something more creative and representative of the state. It's just a missed opportunity to create a real connection between the mascot and the fans. Overall, I'm not impressed with this choice.