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| The Buffs created an early buzz in college athletics with announcement that they were leaving the Big 12 for the emerging Pac 12 Conference. Along with Buffaloes gameday gear, get University of Colorado Pac 12 gear |
| Colorado Buffaloes Football Jerseys, T-Shirts & Gear Get your Buffs gear as they prepare for greener pastures in the Pac-12 |
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COLORADO: MASCOT: RALPHIE
One of college football’s most grand entrance into a stadium is takes place at Colorado’s
Folsom Field when the school’s football team follows its mascot’s charge. With Ralphie’s
storming the field generating flashbacks from the old west, visiting teams learn first hand what
intimidation is all about. The raging moment that features more than 1000 pounds of
stampeding flesh darting toward the visiting sideline takes place before the game and the third
quarter.
The first buffalo sighting at CU took place in 1934, following the school’s embracing of the Buffalo
nickname. A buffalo calf and a real cowboy keeper were paid $25 to support the school during a
late season victory over the University of Denver.
Buffalo sightings were scarce at CU until the 1950s when “Mr. Chips” arrived as the school’s first
official mascot. Perhaps country music singer Charlie Pride had Colorado's Buffalo mascot in
mind when he sang: "Let the chips fall, let them fall where they may." The old saying that “You
better what your step when the chips are down,” might have also applied to the mascot’s naming.
Once “Mr. Chips” dipped out of the CU family, several years passed before another Buffalo
mascot was found. Named Ralph by the student body, a six-month-old calf joined the school in
1966. In a moment that would have made Jerry Springer proud, it was soon discovered that
Ralph was no Ralph, but instead a Ralphie. The buffalo overcame the hysteria and attended
every CU home game and bowl game for the next 13 years.
A buffalo named Moon, a sawed off form of Moonshine, stepped in as a replacement late in the
1978 season. Due to the popularity of the Ralphie name, Moon's destiny became full when she
was dubbed Ralphie II. The name change restored the mascot name tradition, which Ralphie II
upheld for 10 years. She died in September 1987, following a 31-17 win over Stanford.
Ralphie III saw duty late in the 1987 season and was greeted with a 27-10 victory over Missouri.
Considering her 1,300 pound frame combined with blazing speed that helped her sprint
at 25 MPH, it's too bad that she couldn't line up in the Colorado backfield.
When not leading the two-legged Buffaloes onto Folsom Field, Ralphie III spent her off time at
Parker Ranch. Ralphie's home was named after John and Sharon Parker, who donated her and
Ralphie II to the university. Ralphie III died of natural causes in 1998 at the age of 13. Media
mogul Ted Turner stepped in to aid CU's mascot efforts by donating a buffalo later in the year.
One of college football’s most grand entrance into a stadium is takes place at Colorado’s
Folsom Field when the school’s football team follows its mascot’s charge. With Ralphie’s
storming the field generating flashbacks from the old west, visiting teams learn first hand what
intimidation is all about. The raging moment that features more than 1000 pounds of
stampeding flesh darting toward the visiting sideline takes place before the game and the third
quarter.
The first buffalo sighting at CU took place in 1934, following the school’s embracing of the Buffalo
nickname. A buffalo calf and a real cowboy keeper were paid $25 to support the school during a
late season victory over the University of Denver.
Buffalo sightings were scarce at CU until the 1950s when “Mr. Chips” arrived as the school’s first
official mascot. Perhaps country music singer Charlie Pride had Colorado's Buffalo mascot in
mind when he sang: "Let the chips fall, let them fall where they may." The old saying that “You
better what your step when the chips are down,” might have also applied to the mascot’s naming.
Once “Mr. Chips” dipped out of the CU family, several years passed before another Buffalo
mascot was found. Named Ralph by the student body, a six-month-old calf joined the school in
1966. In a moment that would have made Jerry Springer proud, it was soon discovered that
Ralph was no Ralph, but instead a Ralphie. The buffalo overcame the hysteria and attended
every CU home game and bowl game for the next 13 years.
A buffalo named Moon, a sawed off form of Moonshine, stepped in as a replacement late in the
1978 season. Due to the popularity of the Ralphie name, Moon's destiny became full when she
was dubbed Ralphie II. The name change restored the mascot name tradition, which Ralphie II
upheld for 10 years. She died in September 1987, following a 31-17 win over Stanford.
Ralphie III saw duty late in the 1987 season and was greeted with a 27-10 victory over Missouri.
Considering her 1,300 pound frame combined with blazing speed that helped her sprint
at 25 MPH, it's too bad that she couldn't line up in the Colorado backfield.
When not leading the two-legged Buffaloes onto Folsom Field, Ralphie III spent her off time at
Parker Ranch. Ralphie's home was named after John and Sharon Parker, who donated her and
Ralphie II to the university. Ralphie III died of natural causes in 1998 at the age of 13. Media
mogul Ted Turner stepped in to aid CU's mascot efforts by donating a buffalo later in the year.
CU Football T-Shirts for the 2011 Season - For Men, Ladies and Youth