Mascots: Ralphie, Chip and
Chipette
Nickname: Buffaloes
Colors: Black, Silver and Gold
Founded: 1861
University of Colorado
Buffalo's are tough. The name Ralphie, not so
much!
Before the fall of 1934, the University of Colorado
teams were simply known as the Silver and Gold.
Colorado students rented a buffalo calf for their
season finale, and Colorado defeated Utah 7-6.
Since then, university athletic teams have been
referred to as Buffaloes. Ever since, the buffalo
has led Colorado's football team out on the field at
the beginning of each half.
Their first live buffalo, Mr. Chips, was a mainstay at
events through the 1950s. After a few years without
a live mascotthe school got another buffalo in 1966.
What they didn’trealize until it was six months old is
that it was a girl, so they change its name from Ralph
to Ralphie. She served as the mascot through 1978,
and lived half a decade beyond that. She has been
succeeded by other buffalo also called Ralphie. Of
course, a live buffalo can’t do everything, so
sometimes costumed mascots are needed.
Buffalo's are tough. The name Ralphie, not so
much!
Before the fall of 1934, the University of Colorado
teams were simply known as the Silver and Gold.
Colorado students rented a buffalo calf for their
season finale, and Colorado defeated Utah 7-6.
Since then, university athletic teams have been
referred to as Buffaloes. Ever since, the buffalo
has led Colorado's football team out on the field at
the beginning of each half.
Their first live buffalo, Mr. Chips, was a mainstay at
events through the 1950s. After a few years without
a live mascotthe school got another buffalo in 1966.
What they didn’trealize until it was six months old is
that it was a girl, so they change its name from Ralph
to Ralphie. She served as the mascot through 1978,
and lived half a decade beyond that. She has been
succeeded by other buffalo also called Ralphie. Of
course, a live buffalo can’t do everything, so
sometimes costumed mascots are needed.