Here comes Ralphie: the handlers that make the run a reality

Colorado Buffaloes live mascot Ralphie VII, nicknamed "Brandy," leans into her turn on Folsom Field. (Photo by Madison Kerest/Sko Buffs Sports)

Amidst a lackluster football season for the Colorado Buffaloes, there has been one all-star rookie whose promise is undeniable: Ralphie VII, though her friends call her Brandy. 

Accompanied by a powerful group of student handlers, Ralphie has long been one of, if not the most spectacular, live mascots in the nation.  

This unforgettable tradition is made possible by dedicated students who commit to making every game a once-in-a-lifetime experience. While technically a bison, she’s forever a Buff.

“People don’t know how much we do practice with the buffalo,” senior handler Cristian Lomoro said. People think we just show up to gameday ... And [that] Ralphie's good to go.” 

While Ralphie is undoubtedly a one-of-a-kind performer, her handlers often get overlooked. But unlike many other prominent CU sports figures, that’s how these athletes prefer it. 

The team consists of a few dozen individuals who must meet demanding physical requirements to keep up with both the buffalo and each other. 

Tryouts consist of a preliminary physical test, with a maximum repetition pullup segment and three 100-yard timed sprints. Individuals who complete these requirements then move on to an interview session. 

“There’s a reason that nobody else does this. It’s because nobody else can,” Assistant Program Manager Colton Behr said. 

Ralphie Assistant Program Manager Colton Behr looks over his team during the National Anthem at Folsom Field. (Madison Kerest/Sko Buffs Sports)

As a former handler, Behr highlighted the importance of grit and humility for every member of the squad.

“One of our sayings is ‘the buffalo is bigger than yourself,’” Behr said, both literally and figuratively. “The concept of Ralphie that's been going on since 1966-1967 is bigger than any individual handler… We’re just pieces in a puzzle to make sure that every Colorado fan has the same Ralphie experience that everybody else gets.”

While physical ability is crucial, a team-first mentality is equally important.

“People show up to see Ralphie, and this needs to be a humble team,” Ralphie Program Director and former handler Taylor Stratton said. “You need to leave your ego at the door.” 

The responsibilities of the handlers go far beyond gameday runs. Three practices with Ralphie a week and two days of team lifts are standard, with many handlers volunteering to assist with Ralphie’s care and maintenance as well. 

These tasks may consist of driving the trailer, cleaning a pen or feeding her. In such a rare environment, most students do not arrive with any background working with animals, especially buffalo.  

This trend of most handlers starting from ground zero creates an environment where learning is on the agenda every day. Both coaches emphasize a supportive team to foster a community unafraid of making mistakes. 

“Our team is really close-knit because of those shared experiences, and they’re such unique experiences,” Stratton said. 

Working in proximity with a 1,000-pound buffalo moving at 20 miles per hour is a big ask for college students who have no history with animals bigger than house pets.  Supporting each other on their journey is vital for the team’s success. 

“We spend so much time together, and we all have an immense amount of trust in each other and respect for what everyone’s doing,” said Erin Cryer, a senior in her second year as a handler. “It’s probably the most supportive team environment I’ve ever been in in my entire life.” 

From the opening of the gate to the closing of the trailer, the team works as a unit, with each member knowing their exact role from beginning to end. 

Four handlers run connected to Ralphie by lead ropes: front left, front right, back left and back right. Each position has a different job and is responsible for its own signals to each other and the buffalo. Every movement is calculated, drilled repetitively to ensure safety and swagger alike. 

“We want everybody on game day to be like, ‘Wow, that looked perfect. That looked easy,’” Behr said. “When the truth is, there's a lot of stumbles, there’s a lot of learning opportunities, there’s a lot of chances for growth along the way.” 

While eyes follow Ralphie’s path, the rest of the handlers are spread out along her horseshoe course. These handlers assist their teammates by herding Ralphie away from opposing players, referees and coaches on the sidelines. Outlining the buffalo’s path, all handlers end the run in a unified dead sprint. 

Handler Cristian Lomoro (far right) commands to teammates while guiding Ralphie VII on gameday. (Madison Kerest/Sko Buffs Sports)

“It’s like all teams. Success is not built on your gameday. Your gameday is a test of your preparation,” Stratton said.

Last winter, it became evident that it was time to bring a new buffalo into the mix. Stratton was intentional about her search for the right buffalo to continue this program's storied history, ultimately finding Brandy at a local CU alum’s ranch. 

The goal was simple: find a buffalo that loves to run. With Ralphie VII, this quality was evident from the moment she first took the field. 

One-year-old Brandy joined the team midseason, stepping in to replace her predecessor, Ember, who was gracefully retired to pursue a more relaxing career as a companion. 

Since then, Brandy has lit up Folsom Field and will run her final horseshoe pattern of the season on Saturday.

After welcoming Brandy and adapting to her curious demeanor, her handlers began connecting with the brand-new Ralphie and allowing her to become a centerpiece. 

Before being introduced to her new CU family, Brandy had only ever seen a few people in the entirety of her life at the ranch. Establishing a relationship with Ralphie VII was a process that handlers were at the forefront of, as only six groups had done before. 

“We’ve been grateful to have this unique experience of training a new buffalo,” Cryer said.. “It’s actually insane to basically take a wild animal who’s in a herd to run a specific pattern ending in a trailer in front of 50,000 people. The progress and the work, it really takes a village.”

Brandy’s arrival immediately rejuvenated the 58-year tradition at Folsom Field, with her debut performance on Sept. 20 wowing fans with a streaking 60-yard run. 

With a graceful balance of brute strength and a group of individuals working in perfect harmony, Ralphie’s legacy grows, and a longstanding tradition continues to blossom. 

Brandy and her entourage embody the determination and spirit fostered in Boulder for decades. 

“It’s all about her. That’s how we usually like to keep it. It’s bigger than ourselves for sure,” Lomoro said. 

In the 58th year of CU’s most iconic ritual, both Brandy and her handlers are in good hands.