PUEBLO, Colo. (December 23, 2020) – Colorado State University Pueblo Athletics has announced that Roch the dog will serve as the department's new live mascot.
 
Adopted by Carol and Mark Rickman, Roch (pronounced Rock) will lead the CSU Pueblo Football team onto the field in 2021. Roch will also frequently appear on the sidelines at other  ThunderWolf Athletic events and support the University at other events throughout the year.
 
Roch will carry on the legacy of the Pack's previous live mascot Tundra, a Siberian husky, who crossed the rainbow bridge in March after 12 years as the Pack's live mascot. Tundra was a part of the Rickman family and was an iconic symbol for CSU Pueblo Athletics and the University itself.
 
Tundra was honored with a statue on the CSU Pueblo campus in 2017.  Pack Athletics created the Tundra Spirit of the Pack Award in 2020 in Tundra's memory. Tundra also received the Red Cross Hometown Heroes Animal Hero Award for the city of Pueblo. Because of Tundra's popularity in Southern Colorado and around campus, Roch has some pretty big paws to fill.
 
"Roch brings a renewed spirit to the Pack," said CSU Pueblo Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Paul Plinske. "It has been a long year and we miss Tundra dearly, but Roch represents our future and the hope that exists in 2021 and beyond. We are so grateful to Carol and Mark Rickman for making this possible."
 
The Rickman family adopted Roch from NMDOG, an all-volunteer, non-profit rescue facility in Albuquerque, N.M. Roch had journeyed there from the Animal Welfare Coalition of Northeastern New Mexico. During this time, NMDOG trained Roch to socialize with people and other dogs. They also trained Roch for
 
"Tundra was a treasured & adored member of her Family & she will be so very missed," said NMDOG in Roch's adoption post on Facebook. "Tundra's legacy & her important work will live on & Roch has signed up to lend a helping paw!"
 
Roch is part Siberian husky, part malamute, part Belgian malinois, and part boxer. He is 15 months old. The Rickman family hopes to continue to train Roch as a therapy dog.
 
"Tundra will be happy and proud to see Roch continue her legacy of love for the Pack family and boundless ThunderWolf spirit," Carol Rickman said.
 
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