Colorado University Athletics
Siemens: Bucket List Moment For Students Running Behind Ralphie
November 07, 2015 | Football
Ralphie the Buffalo's posse grew by 50 this morning.
Thanks to the University of Colorado's marketing department and athletic director Rick George, 50 lucky students arrived at Folosm Field at 10 a.m. to participate in one of the greatest college football traditions in America.
CU marketing director Prema Khanna said that the idea came from promotions coordinator Kyle Geddes last year, but wasn't realized before the end of the 2014 season.
"It's something that's never happened and might never happen again," Khanna said. "We know it's an exclusive tradition and will stay that way, but this is something that students can get really excited about. You know, you'll tell your grandkids this one day."
Although Ralphie's usual route is one lap around Folsom Field students only ran the first length of the field, behind the Buffs in uniform. But that didn't disappoint any of the giddy Folsom Frenzy members "warming up" on the sideline.
A few announcements about the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to run with Ralphie circulated on social media this week, so fans were prepared with GoPro cameras and running shoes. While waiting, multiple people mentioned their bucket lists, everyone snapped a selfie, some called their moms to turn on the Pac-12 Network, and one fan behind me couldn't get past the fact that his "actual feet were on the actual field".
Khanna and associate Ryan Kell led the herd to the Northeast corner; Ralphie circled in her cage, waiting for her weekly charge and listening to the soothing voices of her handlers. After specific instructions – don't touch the players, don't run each other over, wait until the locker room smoke clears a bit before you bolt, and have fun – we waited anxiously for Cartman's introduction to end and the adrenaline to start.
George rounded the corner, smiling ear to ear.
"Now I don't need any of you falling, you hear? Get after it!"
Thanks, Rick.
A cloud of smoke rolled out of the locker room, and players filed to the field's corner. With cheers coming from our group and the fans in section 121, Coach MacIntyre's 'young men' were focused in their mission and tradition: Ralphie's run, the black and gold, and victory.
"Let's go win a football game!" yelled an unidentified helmet.
Yes, let's.
Heeeeeeeeerrrreee's RAAAAAALPHIE!
We couldn't stop and pray with the players after our run, but could say one of our own for Ralphie and the rest of the Buffaloes. Pledge our whole devotion to you - Dear old CU.
