All About Ralphie聽
Trading card Ralphies, also from the fall issue. Test your knowledge!
The opening illustration of our fall 2017 issue, by Drew Litton.
The story on Ralphie was fun to read. Since you invited readers to supply more details, you may be interested in how Ralphie got her name. She was named after Ralph Wallace聽(Hist鈥�68), who I think was the CU junior class president at the time. Whether he campaigned for the distinction, let alone this form of immortality, is debatable. My acquaintance with Ralph arose as we competed for the attentions of the same Southern belle when we all attended St. Aidan鈥檚 Episcopal Church just off campus. Again, thanks for the great story and the wonderful memories it provoked for some of us.
Kirk Rider听(贰苍驳濒鈥�67)
Grand Junction, Colo.
Editor's Note:聽
There are several tales in circulation about the origin of Ralphie's name. If you'd like to share yours write us at editor@colorado.edu.听
The Ralphie Issue [fall 2017] is fantastic! Thank you for doing such a great job!
Nancy Kane听(础谤迟鈥�86)
Brooktondale, N.Y.
As a CU alumnus I recall with nostalgia Ralphie鈥檚 running at CU football games in the 1980s during my wonderful undergraduate years. But it鈥檚 nearly 2020: This 1960s-era practice befits neither CU nor buffalo, which are not pets. Today鈥檚 Ralphie would be better served by being visited in her natural habitat by CU students and the public at a natural environment educational venue. It could feature the bison鈥檚 important role in both Native American history and in CU鈥檚 football history. Free Ralphie!
Ellen W. Gorsevski听(贬耻尘鈥�88)
Bowling Green, Ohio
I was not aware that the current issue of the Coloradan聽was going to be 鈥淭he Ralphie Issue.鈥� I would have submitted the Ralphie story that beats all others. Thanks for rekindling the memory of all our beautiful mascots.
In 1969, as a member of the Golden Buffalo Men鈥檚 Marching Band, I happened to find myself in the north end zone of Folsom Field, alone with Ralphie prior to our pre-game performance. It was a surreal moment, but I was immediately drawn to her trailer. There we were, alone in front of 50,000 people with what felt like a spotlight on us. I went over and pressed my eye to the grate, and she did likewise while wagging her tail. There we were, our eyes mere inches from each other. I will never forget that big, beautiful eye and that tiny tail! I felt compelled to say something. I said, 鈥淵ou are a beautiful and magnificent creature, Ralphie. Thank you for sharing your planet with us.鈥� She replied, 鈥淵ou are a kind and gentle soul, Joe. You come with good intentions.鈥� I so longed to enter her trailer and give her a big hug.
Up to that moment, I did not know anything about spirituality or animal communication, but I have since learned a lot about both. That incident started me on a spiritual journey with the universe that continues to this day. I remember her words, and have striven to be the kind and gentle person she recognized and to be true to my soul. It started with my becoming an ardent protector of animals, something that continues to this day. I have struggled to overcome my ego, which is, indeed, a lifetime battle. I have always considered that moment in my life to have been a gift from God.
Joe Felice听(厂辫补苍鈥�72)
Aurora, Colo.
Open Space in Aurora聽
I always enjoy Paul Danish鈥檚 (Hist鈥�65) column, but this time he goofed. He said that without its open space, Boulder would look like Aurora! Has he been to Aurora, the third-largest city in Colorado?
Aurora has 14 open space areas with a total of 5,414 acres 鈥� he could Google it.
Charlotte Faris
Aurora, Colo.
Getting Social聽
A sampling of readers鈥� online reactions to the fall issue:
Upon seeing Drew Litton鈥檚 Ralphie cartoon depicting the buffed-up mascot in a cape, Shelly McCune Greenwood (Bus鈥�81; MEdu鈥�00) responded on Facebook: 鈥淪he鈥檚 looking great for her age!鈥�
After reading Andrew Daigle鈥檚 (PhD Engl鈥�16) story on Buffs鈥� senior tailback Phillip Lindsay (Comm, Soc鈥�17), @rensch025 tweeted: 鈥淣ice little write-up on @I_CU_boy [Lindsay] in the聽Coloradan. Class on and off the field! #gobuffs. On Facebook, CU Boulder staff member Michelle Bell said, 鈥淗umble, positive, talented and kind...He makes all of us so proud!鈥�
Responding to the Q&A with Ralphie Runner Rachel Edson聽(Soc鈥�18), Facebook commenter Debra Price wrote, 鈥淲e were very honored to be invited to one of Ralphie's practices recently, where I met Rachel. She clearly loves Ralphie and what she's doing. Both Rachel and Ralphie are great ambassadors for CU.鈥�
