This page is dedicated to the mascot Chip. Chip is CU's costumed buffalo, not to be confused with Ralphie IX, CU's live buffalo mascot.

Chip Named All-American

"Chip", the University of Colorado's costumed mascot, was named to the 2003 Capital One All-America Mascot Team. One of 12 mascots named to the second annual team, Chip is now a finalist for National Mascot of the Year honors, which will be announced in January.

The All-America team is comprised of Albert (Florida), Aubie (Auburn), Big Red (Western Kentucky), Brutus Buckey (Ohio State), Chip (Colorado), Cocky (South Carolina), Hairy Dawg (Georgia), Harry the Husky (Washington), Monte (Montana), Scratch (Kentucky), Smokey (Tennessee) and YoUDee (Delaware). Each member of the mascot team is awarded $5,000 for the school's mascot program.

This year's All-America team was chosen from Division IA and IAA athletic programs. A panel of judges, including original Phillie Phanatic David Raymond; mascot guru and historian, Dr. Roy Yarbrough; and representatives from ESPN and Capital One, selected and notified the 12 finalists in June. Judging criteria included interaction with fans, sportsmanship and community service.

The selection of the team sets the stage for a fierce battle for the coveted Capital One National Mascot of the Year title beginning in early September. Fans across the country will be able to vote for their favorite mascot of the 12 through real-time, online polling at www.capitalonebowl.com. The winner will be selected based on the judges' ranking (50 percent) and the on-line voting results (50 percent). The Capital One National Mascot of the Year will be announced during the Capital One Bowl on January 1, 2004, and will receive an additional $5,000 (for a total of $10,000) for its school's mascot program.

2003 CAPITAL ONE ALL-AMERICA MASCOT TEAM

Albert........University of Florida

Aubie.........Auburn University

Big Red.......Western Kentucky

Brutus Buckeye.Ohio State University

CHIP..........University of Colorado

Cocky.........South Carolina University

Hairy Dawg....University of Georgia

Harry the Husky.University of Washington

Monte.........University of Montana

Scratch.......University of Kentucky

Smokey........University of Tennessee

YoUDee........University of Delaware

CU's costumed mascot took a spectacular fifth-place among Division IA schools at the 2001 National Championships in January 2001 at Orlando, Fla.!