 The Ralphie Live Mascot Program is under the direction of Program Manager John Graves , longtime Coach Benny Frei , and Assistant Coach Taylor Stratton . John , Benny , and Taylor were Ralphie Handlers when they were students at Colorado . They provide the training for Ralphie and her Handlers , and coordinate the care for Ralphie . The team consists of approximately 15 student @-@ athletes made up of both males and females . The Handlers earn a varsity letter for each year they are on the team . Handlers first started earning varsity letters in 1987 . Even though the Handlers do not fall under NCAA jurisdiction , the Athletic Department still holds them to the same standards as all other varsity athletes in the department , including minimum GPA requirements , full course load , and other rules . The first female Handler joined the team in 1993 . Females have had a strong presence in the Program ever since . 
