Ralphie VI never really embraced Colorado’s decades-long tradition of the live mascot running across the field at the start of football games, and after four seasons she is being replaced.
On Tuesday, CU announced that Ralphie VI, nicknamed “Ember”, is retiring. In a news release, CU said, “Due to an indifference to running, typical of many mammals both four-legged and two-legged, it was determined that it was in Ember’s best interest, based on her disposition, to focus on relaxing strolls on the pasture, which is her favorite hobby.”
For several months, CU has had a plan in place for a replacement buffalo, and Ralphie VII has been training but will not run when CU opens the season at Folsom Field against Georgia Tech on Friday (6 p.m., ESPN). There is no timeline for her debut. CU said more information on Ralphie VII will be provided at a later time.
“In the interim, the Buffaloes football team will take the field without the university’s beloved live mascot,” CU said in the release.
Ralphie VI will now move into a “companion buffalo role,” per the release, and live with Ralphie V on their ranch.
“Ember has been excellent in many aspects of her role as Ralphie, but she’s happiest relaxing on the ranch and we want to be respectful of her wishes,” said Taylor Stratton, director of the Ralphie Live Mascot Program. “She will continue to get the same top level of love and care that all of our Ralphies receive and will enjoy socializing with Ralphie V.”
Making her debut against Northern Colorado on Sept. 3, 2021, Ralphie VI was a 15-month old weighing in at under 500 pounds. She has grown to be about 800 pounds but never grew to love running at games, as her predecessor, Ralphie V, did.
Ralphie VI made her final appearance at the Valero Alamo Bowl on Dec. 28 in San Antonio, and it was clear at that time that CU needed to move on. Rather than sprinting out of her gate, she did a slow trot of about 40 yards before turning and then finally increasing her speed as she headed back to her trailer.
Ralphie VI wound up having, by far, the shortest tenure of any of the Buffs’ live mascots. She ran at 25 games (plus one spring game) during her four seasons. Ralphie II had the previous shortest tenure, at 53 games over 10 seasons (1978-87). The other four Ralphies all ran at least 73 times and served as the live mascot for 11 or 12 seasons.
Since the program officially debuted in 1967, the six Ralphies have combined to run at 380 games, including 25 bowl games. Ralphie I ran 78 times from 1967-78, followed by Ralphie II (53, 1978-87); Ralphie III (73, 1987-97); Ralphie IV (75, 1998-2008); and Ralphie V (76, 2008-19).
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