CU debuted Ralphie VII against Wyoming, and the event quickly captured hearts. But it was a viral tweet from a loving husband that stole the spotlight.
Sharing his deep admiration and emotional pride, through the tweet, he revealed his heartfelt gratitude to his wife, Taylor Stratton, who is the Program Director of the Ralphie Live Mascot Program. The heartfelt post resonated across social media. It highlighted the dedication behind CU’s beloved tradition and the personal stories of those who care for Ralphie.
Husband Honors Taylor’s Dedication in Viral Thread
Taylor’s husband went viral on X with an eight-part tweet thread celebrating her work managing the Ralphie Live Mascot Program.
He shared that during Ralphie VII’s debut against Wyoming, which led the Buffs to a 37-20 victory, “through tears in my eyes, I saw Taylor,” capturing the culmination of five years of her “endless hard work, relentless dedication, and constant commitment to a program that means so much to so many.”
He highlighted her early mornings at Ralphie’s ranch, tending to the buffalo even on cold, snowy January days, providing “loving care, sustenance, and impeccable living standards” for all three buffalo.
He also detailed her rigorous schedule of 6 a.m. team workouts, late nights, and 8 p.m. practices to preserve the tradition and simulate game conditions. Taylor managed the acquisition, training, and debut of two Ralphies in five years, while prioritizing their health and well-being.
He emphasized the student-athlete handlers who preserve this tradition, writing, “Behind that team and those athletes is Taylor, and her never-ending effort to provide Ralphie and her handlers with whatever they need to be successful.”
Closing the message, he called Ralphie the “Queen of Boulder” and Taylor “my queen, my best friend, my hero,” honoring her tireless dedication and leadership.
Taylor Stratton Leads Ralphie Live Mascot Program
Taylor Stratton, the current manager of CU’s Ralphie Live Mascot Program, has become a standout figure in college athletics. A former Ralphie Handler, she assumed the top role on April 1, 2020, after four years as assistant coach, replacing John Graves.
Stratton is the second woman to head the program, following Gail Pederson, and the first woman to serve in a coaching role. A CU alum with a triple major in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Environmental Studies, and Geography, she lettered three times as a handler.
Born in Orlando but raised on her family’s multi-generational ranch in Southern Colorado, Stratton’s roots in agriculture and animal care run deep.
She joined the CU athletic department full-time in 2014, later managing Student and Young Alumni Outreach, and trained Ralphie VI for her 2021 debut.
Affectionately known as “T-Stratt,” Taylor enjoys polo, travel, country swing dancing, and following Colorado sports, blending passion, expertise, and personal charm in her leadership of CU’s iconic mascot program.
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