In 1934, “Buffaloes” was the winning entry in the Silver & Gold’s student newspaper contest to choose a team nickname. Weeks later, a group of students rented a live buffalo calf for $25 and brought it to the sidelines of a football game.

CU’s official mascot didn’t debut until 1966, when John Lowery donated a 6-month-old calf to the university. Lowery’s son, Bill Lowery (Bus ex’69), and other students trained Ralphie I and ran her across Folsom Field that October.

Now there are 15 handlers —including advertising student Hunter Rief—who care for Ralphie V and run with her at home football games.