New buffalo mascot in training for the 2007 football season
Out with the old and in with the new. Ralphie IV, CU’s live buffalo mascot, is retiring and will be replaced by a new buffalo, Ralphie V. Ralphie V is set to be introduced at some point during the 2007 Buff football season, but an exact date has yet to be determined.
“We want the get Ralphie V trained and in place so that she will be ready when Ralphie IV retires,” said Gail Pederson, the Staff Manager of the Ralphie Handler program at CU.
Ralphie IV’s age was a main factor in her retirement.
“Ralphie III (CU’s last buffalo) passed away before we could get the current Ralphie trained,” Pederson said. “We want to take precautions this time and have our next heir to the throne in place and ready.”
However, the old Ralphie isn’t going anywhere just yet. While Ralphie V is being trained and adjusting to her new home at CU, Ralphie IV will still be in show and possibly still available for appearance.
“Ralphie will still run in 2007,” Pederson said, “After her retirement, she will remain under the same care that she has receiving from our program directors.”
The program directors are Ben Frei and Kevin Priola, two CU alumni whom were also handlers as students. Both Frei and Priola took over the program in 2001.
Ralphie is run by a team of twelve to fifteen handlers who are all current CU students. Adam Gregory, a junior psychology major, recently finished his first season as a Ralphie Handler and said his fondest memories of Ralphie are with the team and in representing CU.
“Every game there is something new to laugh about, or a new practical joke to be played,” said Gregory. “We are all about having a good time and the privilege to run with our beloved mascot, Ralphie.”
Team Ralphie has a twice weekly workout as a team and also practices during the summer and football season.
It’s not only handlers that are sad to see Ralphie go. Sophomore environmental studies major Collin Burkhart said the new Ralphie has huge shoes to fill.
“Hopefully she will trigger a long winning streak in 2007,” Burkhart said.
