View source for CAM the Ram

{{Short description|University mascot}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}} {{Use American English|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox College Mascot
| image = CAM the Ram CSU v NM 10-28-2006.jpg
| image_size = 
| caption = 
| university = Colorado State University
| conference = Mountain West Conference
| conference_short = MWC
| species = [[Rambouillet sheep]]
| name_origin = contest
| first_seen = 1947 
| related_mascots =
| official_website = [http://www.csurams.com/trads/cam-the-ram.html CSU Athletics]
}}

'''CAM the Ram''' is the [[mascot]] of [[Colorado State Rams|Colorado State University]].<ref name="CSURams">{{cite web |url=http://www.csurams.com/trads/cam-the-ram.html |title=CAM the Ram |publisher=CSURams.com |access-date=27 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708212038/http://www.csurams.com/trads/cam-the-ram.html |archive-date=8 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> There is the live mascot whose origins date back to a competition held in 1946 to name the new face of the university. The winner was an alumnus who created the acronym CAM from the schools name at the time, Colorado Agricultural and Mechanical College.<ref name="CSURams"/><ref name="Ramhandlers">{{cite web |url=http://www.colostate.edu/features/students-ramhandlers.aspx |title=The sweet life of CAM the ram |publisher = Colorado State University |date= February 2010 |access-date= 27 February 2011}}</ref> CAM's most notable appearance is during home football games. CAM runs across the endzone during home [[American football|football]] games after a touchdown. Then there is the costumed mascot also named CAM the Ram. The costumed CAM was revamped in 2010, and appears at the majority of sporting events.

== Live mascot ==
CAM has been played by a total of 26 different [[Rambouillet (sheep)|Rambouillet]] sheep over the years since the mascot's first appearance in 1947. CAM 22 made over 250 appearances and was retired in 2010 at the age of seven when CAM 23 took his place.<ref name="Welter">{{cite news |url=http://www.collegian.com/index.php/article/2010/04/042910_cam |title= CAM to retire within year |author= Allison Welter |newspaper=The Rocky Mountain Collegian |date= 2 May 2010 |access-date= 27 February 2011}}</ref> CAM 24 died on September 19, 2015, the day of the 2015 Rocky Mountain Showdown<ref name="Coloradoan CAM 24">{{cite news|title=CAM the Ram dies day of Showdown|url=http://www.coloradoan.com/story/sports/csu/football/2015/09/19/cam-ram-dies-night-before-rocky-mountain-showdown/72497922/|access-date=1 May 2018|work=Coloradoan|agency=USA Today Network|date=19 September 2015}}</ref> leaving CAM 25 to take his place. CAM 25 is CAM 24's half-brother and was 6 months old at the time. CAM 25 was retired due to age in 2020, and the current CAM (CAM 26) is now the active mascot. <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://source.colostate.edu/beloved-mascot-cam-the-ram-dies-at-age-6/|title=Beloved mascot CAM the Ram dies at age 6|date=21 September 2015}}</ref>

Cam has been a steady spirit booster ever since he arrived on campus. He makes trips around the state in a temperature-controlled 35 foot trailer. The Alumni Association supports CAM and manages the Ram Handlers program. Cam happily lives at an off campus livestock boarding facility with other farm animals and even his successor.  

=== Ram handlers ===
Cam is taken care of by nineteen handlers who participate in CAM's training and care, transportation to events, sharing CAM's story with Rams fans of all ages, and traditions such as his sprint across the end zone during home football games. The Alumni Association encourages students from any and all majors and backgrounds to apply to join the group. A Ram Handlers Mission is to actively promote CSU through working with CAM the Ram and will engage with University constituents, model the Principles of Community, and uphold the tradition of CAM the Ram.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://alumni.colostate.edu/cam-the-ram/|title=CAM the Ram – Alumni|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-09}}</ref>

== Costumed mascot ==
There is also a costumed, two legged CAM the Ram whose first appearances date back to the early 1980s. The newest version was unveiled in October 2010.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.collegian.com/index.php/article/2010/10/101510_football |title= Colorado State hopeful in Homecoming |newspaper=The Rocky Mountain Collegian |author= Joel Hafnor |date=15 October 2010 |access-date= 27 February 2011}}</ref> During this 2010 revamp, he lost his cartoonish characteristics and began to look like a real ram. He now wears No. 70 on his jerseys, to signify the year that the university was established, 1870.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://csurams.com/news/2010/10/13/CSU_unveils_new_CAM_the_Ram_costume.aspx|title=CSU unveils new CAM the Ram costume|website=Colorado State University Athletics|language=en|access-date=2020-04-10}}</ref> CAM can be seen on all types of Colorado State University merchandise and can even be seen as a stuffed animal in the stores on campus. The costume CAM can be seen at majority of home sporting events as well as out in the community.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Colorado State Rams men's basketball navbox}}
{{Colorado State Rams football navbox}} 
{{MWC Mascots}}
{{Live animal mascots college}}

[[Category:Mountain West Conference mascots]]
[[Category:Colorado State Rams]]
[[Category:Sheep mascots]]
[[Category:Mascots introduced in 1947]]

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