Matthew Winston (Mgmt’25, MBusAna’26)
Photos courtesy of CU Athletics
At 7 a.m., Matthew Winston (Mgmt’25, MBusAna’26) is sprinting across Folsom Field, locked into strength and conditioning practice. Two hours later, he trades his cowboy hat for a laptop, shifting from Ralphie handler to business analytics student, bringing that same laser focus to the classroom that he brings to the field.
That mindset also shapes how he approaches leadership: “Intense focus and drive, and giving my 110% in everything I do.” For Winston, that intensity isn’t situational. It’s about consistency, discipline and showing up fully in every space he enters.
Although many students recognize Winston from running Ralphie across the field on game days—one of 91ý’s most visible traditions— he doesn’t define himself by titles or achievements. Instead, he reflects on the relationships he has formed within his communities. “It’s about the people I surround myself with, because I've learned a little bit from everyone I've met,” he said.
A tradition built on community
Winston first heard about Ralphie handling the summer before his freshman year and knew he wanted to be involved—even before seeing Ralphie run in person. After earning a coveted spot on the team, his understanding of the role quickly evolved. “I kind of thought it was just some people who went and ran; I didn't realize it was such a tight-knit group, and we're almost like a family.” He found a community built on trust, preparation and shared responsibility.
Ralphie handling practices range from two to five times per week, including strength training and buffalo training sessions at Folsom Field. Handlers also volunteer at the ranch. Winston quickly learned that while the public moments last seconds, the preparation is rigorous.
“You don't just get handed opportunities, you seek them, and you build your own opportunities.”
Matthew Winston (Mgmt’25, MBusAna’26)
He also recognized the great responsibility that comes with the role. “Whether I'm in class, or whether I'm running the buffalo, I'm representing the university, and my actions will have an influence on people that are watching. So, I have always made sure that I embody the values of Leeds and the Athletics department.” For Winston, representation isn’t about attention—it’s about accountability.
Beyond the field, he has served on the Leadership and Career Development Committee of 91ý’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee. He has helped organize resume and LinkedIn workshops for NCAA Division I athletes. “I'm trying to give back and uplift the community, hopefully helping people find jobs or internship opportunities beyond athletics,” he said.
Handling more than Ralphie
Learning how to juggle all his responsibilities wasn’t seamless. “At first, it was a bit chaotic, and I was still learning how to balance all the clubs and organizations along with my social life, making sure I was doing well in my classes, and the Ralphie role on top of that,” said Winston. He also had a job. For him, growth came not from eliminating commitments but from refining how he approached them.
Over time, Winston shifted his mindset toward depth rather than volume. “I discovered how to prioritize quality of work over quantity." While aiming to wrap projects up quickly, he learned not to overlook how to give 100% to whatever he was choosing to spend time on. The attitude shift represented a level of maturity and intentionality rather than focusing only on time management.
Discovering a new direction
Winston started his own venture in high school—Surf the City Longboards—which designed and shipped custom skateboards across the country. He entered Leeds with the intent to pursue entrepreneurship. “That opened my eyes to the excitement of starting a business or being your own boss and choosing your own path,” he said. Over time, though, while he realized that entrepreneurship gave him direction, he didn’t see it as his only pathway.
As he progressed through coursework, Winston discovered a passion for analytics and the structure behind innovation. Courses in data analysis, machine learning and neural networks shifted his academic focus while expanding his vision for the future.
“In the future, data is going to be everything. Understanding data and data rights, the structure of data and how to analyze it—that’s going to be huge,” Winston said. Rather than choosing between creativity and technical skill, he committed to both.
A timeless philosophy
Through athletics, academics and leadership, one philosophy has guided Winston’s decisions: “You don't just get handed opportunities, you seek them, and you build your own opportunities. So, it's really important to say yes to as many things as possible.”
He looks forward to building a future based on that mindset. “Eventually, opportunities will seek you out, and then you just have to pick and choose what is most valuable to you.”