Finding Community

For these Ralphie handlers, carrying on a family legacy means running toward something bigger

Emma Holst — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 15:51:31 +0000

For these Ralphie handlers, carrying on a family legacy means running toward something bigger Emma Holst Tue, 09/29/2026 - 09:51

Emma Holst

As ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� celebrates 150 years and welcomes Buffs back for Homecoming, Emma Morgan and Nadia Drobnich reflect on sisterhood, grit and the tradition that connects generations of Buffs.

Five minutes before kickoff, Folsom Field holds its breath. Ralphie appears and one of ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� most beloved traditions surges into motion.

Emma Morgan

For Emma Morgan and Nadia Drobnich, that moment is more than a game-day spectacle. Both women are the third sibling in their families to earn a place on the Ralphie Handler team, making the tradition a family legacy, a test of nerve and a point of connection to a Buffs community that stretches far beyond the stadium.

We’re sharing their stories in a fitting year as ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� marks its 150th anniversary. Homecoming weekend will bring generations of Buffs back to campus to celebrate shared history, togetherness and tradition.

Morgan, a senior studying integrative physiology, grew up attending CU football games from the time she was 12 years old, watching her older brother and sister run with Ralphie before her. “The exhilarating feeling I got every time I watched Ralphie and her handlers run proved to me that I wanted to be a part of the most incredible team and get to work with the best buffalo in the world,” Morgan said.

Drobnich, a sophomore pursuing a degree in education studies, said her interest grew from a similar mix of family admiration for the tradition. Her siblings showed her the energy of game day, the closeness of the team and the care behind the scenes. “I was able to see how amazing the tradition was,” she said, “but telling me how close the team is and how much they love Ralphie…it made me want to be a part of something special.”

A tradition passed down—and made their own

Ralphie’s run has been part of ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� football program for nearly six decades. The first Ralphie stood on the sidelines in 1966, and the tradition of leading her onto the field began the following season. Today, Ralphie VII continues that lineage.

For Morgan and Drobnich, joining that lineage took more than admiration. Applicants must be full-time students, and those selected are expected to dedicate roughly 30 hours a week to the Ralphie program. Morgan felt the weight of that expectation before she even joined the team. “Going into freshman year, I was intimidated by the big shoes left to fill by my siblings,” Morgan said. “Being a sibling of a previous handler adds even more pressure to the tryout process.”

Nadia Drobnich (right) and her sister, Olivia

She began training months before arriving on campus, determined to meet the physical demands and show she belonged on her own terms. Since making the team, Morgan said, she has added her own chapter to the family story, setting records, running in new positions and stepping into leadership.

As the youngest of three sisters, Drobnich grew up sharing sports, coaches and routines with her siblings. Becoming a Ralphie handler felt like an obvious next step in a family already shaped by teamwork and support. “Being the third sibling to be on this team is just as special to me as all the other sports,” she said. “I’ve always loved it because I am always able to ask them questions about it.”

The work no one sees

On game day, most fans only see the charge across the field—the seconds when Ralphie and her handlers become the center of the stadium. But Morgan and Drobnich both describe a much larger commitment: workouts, practices, studying, recovery and the constant need to adapt when working with a large, powerful animal. “Most people don’t realize how much work the handlers put into running with a buffalo,” Morgan said. “We have very demanding schedules with workouts and practices five days a week on top of our schoolwork.”

Morgan said the team began training Ralphie VII long before her debut, building toward the trust and coordination that make a run possible. Ralphie VII made her first appearance in 2025, adding a new chapter to the live mascot tradition.

Drobnich, a lifelong sprinter, said the physical preparation felt familiar in some ways. The harder part was mental, especially managing the fear of not making the team after watching her sisters do it before her. “I wondered if I would be the only sibling to not make the team,” she said.

But once she joined, Drobnich discovered another challenge: finding her footing in a team where her sister was already a respected leader. Her siblings had prepared her for the physical expectations, but they encouraged her to build her own connections and confidence.

That balance of earning a place as an individual while relying on the group runs through both women’s reflections. Ralphie handlers are selected one by one, but the work depends on collective trust. “We are all a team, no one is competing with each other,” Drobnich said. “We are all here for one reason: to run Ralphie across the field.”

Leading at full speed and opening the gate for others

In a stadium environment filled with noise, movement and emotion, leadership means a readiness to respond. “At any moment something could happen or not go to plan,” Morgan said. “We all must be ready to react quickly and professionally to ensure the safety of everyone in Folsom.”

That responsibility is part of what makes the role so meaningful. Ralphie’s run is a beloved image of Buff pride, but the handlers know it from the inside as a relationship built through repetition, patience and accountability. For Morgan and Drobnich, it also means being visible in a role defined by high expectations.

There are currently five women on a team of 17, and every handler—regardless of gender—has to prove they can meet the physical demands of running with Ralphie. “Being a woman on the team is rewarding but very challenging,” Morgan said. “I am very proud of us all and how hard we work. I have loved being able to challenge myself by training hard and running in difficult positions.”

Drobnich sees that representation in the reactions of younger fans. “I am so proud of all the women that have been on this team,” she said. “It’s so special seeing young girls react to a woman running, and I love proving that women can do anything a man can do.”

Their visibility matters in part because both handlers once saw a possible future in someone else. Morgan remembers at 12 years old, watching her brother run. Drobnich remembers seeing her sisters grow in the program. “I hope everyone takes away that the impossible is possible,” Drobnich said. “Yes, it’s so hard—but you learn so much.”

A Homecoming connection

This Homecoming carries extra resonance. ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� first official Homecoming was held in 1914, and the tradition has long brought generations of Buffs together around football, campus life and shared memories. In the university’s 150th year, Ralphie’s run offers a living reminder of how traditions endure: through the people who return to them, care for them and pass them forward.

For Morgan, being a handler has revealed the depth of ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� pull. Appearances and game days have shown her how strongly Ralphie resonates with fans of all ages. “Being a handler has truly shown me the magic that is here at CU,” she said.

Drobnich said the experience has broadened her understanding of the Buffs community, connecting her not just to students but to generations of fans. “It’s brought me closer to the Boulder community,” she said. “I didn’t realize how many people love supporting the football games and Ralphie. It makes me so happy we can share the same love for ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��.”

As Buffs come home to Boulder this fall, Morgan and Drobnich will carry more than their own family legacies onto the field. They will represent the work behind the roar, the trust behind the run and the generations of students who keep ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� traditions alive.

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In full bloom: One Seed grows ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��'s history and community impact

Emma Holst — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 11:00:00 +0000

In full bloom: One Seed grows ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��'s history and community impact Emma Holst Thu, 07/23/2026 - 05:00

Red sunflowers are reaching toward the sky across Boulder—on campus, in community gardens and in backyards—planted months ago with seeds shared through ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� One Seed program. The blooms arrive in a fitting moment as ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� celebrates its 150th anniversary.

(Credit: Abbey Lewis)

The University Libraries’ One Seed program began with a simple idea: share one seed connected to ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� history and invite the community to grow it. Since launching in 2021, the program has distributed more than 7,200 red sunflower seed packets (an estimated 108,000 sunflowers) to members of the campus community and beyond. What began as a creative way to connect people with a special collection in the University Libraries archives has become a growing annual tradition, one that brings institutional history out of the archives and into gardens and neighborhoods.

This year, the program carries added meaning as ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� marks 150 years of learning and public service. The red sunflower’s story is uniquely tied to the university and to Boulder itself.

In 1910, Wilmatte Porter Cockerell, a high school biology teacher, noticed a red sunflower growing wild near her home in Boulder. She and her husband, Theodore Dru Allison Cockerell, a ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� professor and internationally known naturalist, cultivated the plant and helped make its rare red color available more widely. Today, many varieties of red sunflowers around the world are believed to be descendants of that original Boulder bloom.

However, the story nearly vanished. The original Cockerell materials, including the red sunflower specimen, were almost discarded in the 1960s before CU professor and botanist William Weber intervened and saved them. More than a century following the initial discovery, the T.D.A. Cockerell Collection is housed in the University Libraries Rare and Distinctive Collections.

Through One Seed, ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� history is not simply being remembered; it lives in the people who preserve stories, the students who experiment with new growing methods, the staff who cultivate campus landscapes, the neighbors who plant seeds at home and the pollinators drawn to the blooms each summer.

For 150 years, the university has been shaped by people who ask questions, preserve knowledge, test ideas and share what they learn beyond campus. One Seed brings those values together in a form that is immediately visible: A flower that began as a scientific curiosity was preserved through archival care and now grows because thousands of people have chosen to take part.

By late July, the evidence is everywhere. Flowers that began as spring seed packets are now standing tall across campus and throughout the community, bright against the foothills and alive with the promise of what shared history can become. In a milestone year, One Seed offers a fitting anniversary image for ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��: 150 years of discovery still growing, blooming and reaching outward.

Read more about the University Libraries' One Seed program

��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� community grows the university’s iconic red sunflower

Grow campus history: Red sunflower seed pick up begins April 16

The history of ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� red sunflower was nearly discarded. Now it's a successful Libraries program

The University Libraries' One Seed program began with a simple idea: Share one seed connected to ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� history and invite the community to grow it. This year, the program carries added meaning as the university marks 150 years of learning and public service.

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Students finding strength in numbers

Megan M Rogers — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 16:24:32 +0000

Students finding strength in numbers Megan M Rogers Thu, 10/30/2025 - 10:24

Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine

Started by ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Applied Mathematics Teaching Professor Silva Chang, the Colorado Math Circle is celebrating 20 years of bringing middle and high school students together in a community that has fun with math.

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New learning center more than just a place to study math

Megan M Rogers — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 13:42:01 +0000

New learning center more than just a place to study math Megan M Rogers Fri, 10/24/2025 - 07:42

Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine

The Applied Mathematics Community and Learning Center, which opened last month after a summer-long renovation, invites students to collaborate, hang out and learn.

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We Are Art Buffs building an arts community

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 14:47:50 +0000

We Are Art Buffs building an arts community Megan M Rogers Tue, 09/30/2025 - 08:47

Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine

At a Sept. 17 gathering, representatives of the arts at ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��, in Boulder and across the Front Range built connections in the nascent We Are Art Buffs initiative.

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Quantum Scholars gain perspective and find community

Megan M Rogers — Fri, 30 May 2025 15:09:19 +0000

Quantum Scholars gain perspective and find community Megan M Rogers Fri, 05/30/2025 - 09:09

Students are getting a unique perspective on the quantum field and industry through a program they themselves are helping to shape. Quantum Scholars, which launched in 2023, is providing community and fellowships to students in physics, engineering, mathematics and computer science.

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10 years of the Bridge Scholars Program

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 14:04:04 +0000

10 years of the Bridge Scholars Program Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 07/30/2024 - 08:04

The Bridge Scholars Program, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this summer, is more than just a program. Its mission is to support first-generation Colorado residents from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds. Based in the Office of Precollege Outreach and Engagement within the Division of Enrollment Management at ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��, the program has evolved from a summer initiative into a comprehensive support system aimed at enhancing CU's precollegiate programs.

It equips students with essential skills to navigate the transition to university and pursue higher education by nurturing scholarly development, creating a supportive peer community and promoting professional growth. The program's goals are to foster connections and growth among students, and it has continued to thrive by providing effective mentorship, fostering a strong sense of community at CU and offering unwavering support to students.

Over the years, the program has consistently pushed boundaries to ensure academic and personal success for first-generation students. This unwavering commitment has been instrumental in helping these students thrive and reach their full potential, instilling confidence in the program's effectiveness. Under the leadership of a dedicated team, including Maria Castro Barajas, director; Angie Chavez-Lopez, assistant director; Janeth Villalobos, coordinator; and an exceptional group of eleven student staff, the Bridge Scholars Program has become a cornerstone of student support.

During the summer celebration, Chancellor Justin Schwartz emphasized the importance of community and resources, encouraging participants to seek help and connect with him on campus. His appreciation for the program's impact resonates with its mission and goals to provide essential skills to navigate ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��, foster peer connections and create a sense of belonging for first-generation students.

The Bridge Scholars Program is dedicated to guiding first-generation students throughout their academic journey. It provides mentorship and resources that empower students to overcome challenges, seize opportunities and achieve their goals. As the program looks forward to another decade, it continues to celebrate the successes of its students and the legacy it has created.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��'s Bridge Scholars Program supports first-generation, traditionally underrepresented Colorado students by providing mentorship, fostering community, and promoting academic and professional growth.

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Festival dazzled through culture and community

Anonymous — Thu, 02 May 2024 18:22:09 +0000

Festival dazzled through culture and community Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 05/02/2024 - 12:22

College of Engineering and Applied Science

The Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers at ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� recently organized the Asian American and Pacific Islanders: All New Year Festival. More than 450 people attended the cultural celebration, which featured important cultural aspects through art, music, dance, language and cuisine.

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Breaking chains, forging community: Insights from the TRANSforming Gender Conference

Anonymous — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 18:28:39 +0000

Breaking chains, forging community: Insights from the TRANSforming Gender Conference Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 03/28/2024 - 12:28

Unity and resilience were the themes of the TRANSforming Gender Conference, where attendees celebrated queer joy and explored gender identity and activism. Through personal stories and workshops, they forged connections, gained insights and became better equipped to break chains and foster inclusive communities.

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Embracing the Prime Era: How the band is thriving beyond the field

Anonymous — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 19:27:30 +0000

Embracing the Prime Era: How the band is thriving beyond the field Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 10/31/2023 - 13:27

Ally Dever , Nicholas Goda

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pU81Pr8DyA8]

When students living in dorms on campus hear the festive sounds of horns and percussion coming from Farrand Field, they know it’s game day at ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��.

For the last 115 years, through rain, shine and snow, the College of Music’s Golden Buffalo Marching Band has served as an enduring rallying point, uniting the campus community in support of its beloved football team.

A student organization of more than 230 members, the marching band performs at all home football games, at the Pearl Street Stampede on the evening before home games and at various events off campus.

“We pride ourselves on being the tradition, heartbeat, spirit and pride of the university,“ said Matthew Dockendorf, director of the Golden Buffalo Marching Band. “We are the group on campus that announces a game day has arrived.”

Since the hiring of Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders, game days have taken on a new meaning for the Boulder community...and the band is feeling the love.

“It's heightening our presence on campus and in the community,” said Dockendorf. “You can feel the energy even 15–20 minutes before we get ready to perform—there are more people, they're more excited, they're wearing Buffs gear and wanting to interact with the band.”

During his inaugural year, Coach Prime has swiftly emerged as the pulse of campus culture, making regular appearances at local eateries, bolstering local businesses and drawing large crowds to Boulder.

His passion and dedication to excellence has spread like wildfire across campus, spearheading significant transformation not only in the football program but throughout student life, including the marching band.

In February, Sanders held a meeting with Dockendorf and other band leaders in hopes of establishing a joint relationship between the football team and the band, mirroring the practices seen at historically black colleges and universities such as Jackson State University, where Sanders previously served as head coach.

“At HBCUs, it’s kind of traditional that the bands kind of coincides,” Sanders said in a YouTube video posted by Well Off Media. “I know it’s a difference, but it don’t have to be. We like one big happy family.”

In their meeting, Sanders and the band discussed ways to incorporate his vision for the team and his own personal brand in the traditions of ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� game days. Now, the marching band plays Sanders’ theme song titled “Halftime” by the Ying Yang Twins at every game.

John Davis, dean of the College of Music, believes Sanders has set a precedent not only for the marching band but the overall campus community.

“I really admire [Sanders] and I think he's setting a fine example for the public, for his team and for campus leaders, including myself and others,” said Davis. “I think he's inspiring us to believe we can be better than we thought we could before, and that's an amazing message.”

The band always wins

Only around 20% of marching band members are majoring in music-related fields. The majority are non-music majors who join the band to incorporate their passion into their college experience.

“The marching band impacts the lives of students from across campus and that's part of our mission to develop universal, multifaceted, multi-skilled graduates,” said Davis. “Whether students are majoring in music, or another field, the integration of music into their lives and potentially into parts of their careers is what we're all about.”

Similar to the football team, the band's success hinges on the collective efforts of its members. They've dedicated themselves to early morning rehearsals at 5 a.m. for morning games and have persevered through late-night performances that extend until 1 a.m.

Among the many extracurricular programs within the College of Music, Davis believes the marching band creates the most long-lasting sense of camaraderie, collaboration and community for students.

“There's something very special about being an individual who becomes part of a collective, and knows the resulting product is greater than the sum of those parts,” said Davis. “All the work they do, the long hours they spend rehearsing, and then to realize that in the end what they have created together is impactful...that's a beautiful thing.”

According to Davis, many supporters of the College of Music for years have said, despite the successes or challenges of the football team, the band always shows up.

“Even in past years when the football team wasn't projected to be great and the stands were almost empty, fans knew that Ralphie was gonna run, the cheerleaders were going to cheer, and the band was going to be in full throttle from beginning to end.”

As we look forward to welcoming alumni, friends and families back to Boulder for Homecoming weekend, there’s one thing to keep in mind: No matter the hype, no matter the score—the band always wins.

Since the hiring of Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders, game days have taken on a new meaning for the Boulder community....and the band is feeling the love.

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Finding Community

For these Ralphie handlers, carrying on a family legacy means running toward something bigger

A tradition passed down—and made their own

The work no one sees

Leading at full speed and opening the gate for others

A Homecoming connection

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For these Ralphie handlers, carrying on a family legacy means running toward something bigger

A tradition passed down—and made their own

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Leading at full speed and opening the gate for others

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