YoUDee, the Fightin’ Blue Hen mascot, was inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame at a colorful ceremony at Philadelphia’s Love Park in August. In a separate event that month, the mascots, dance team and cheerleaders competed—and placed—in a variety of events at the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) 2006 College Spirit Camp.

As one of the first three collegiate mascots to be inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame, YoUDee received the Golden Silly String Award. The honor is the latest addition to YoUDee’s accomplishments. The mascot was the 2002 UCA national mascot champion, made the Top 8 at the UCA national mascot championships for the past 10 years and was selected by ESPN as one of the “Top 25 Mascots We Love.”

YoUDee also was featured in the NCAA Hall of Champions Mascot Mania exhibition, was selected to the Capital One Mascot Bowl in 2003 and appeared in an ESPNEWS commercial and an ESPN Magazine commercial in 2002. The mascot has appeared on numerous television shows, including Wheel of Fortune,
Hardball With Chris Matthews and Good Day Philadelphia.

“It’s a great tribute to the University and to the mascot program to have YoUDee recognized on a national stage,” Edgar Johnson, UD director of athletics, said during the induction ceremony. “YoUDee’s visibility has certainly enhanced the visibility of the University and its programs, and we take pride in what YoUDee has achieved over the years.”

At the four-day UCA camp, the University’s dance team, cheerleaders and mascots mingled with colleagues and competitors, learned new techniques and practiced routines for the upcoming semester.

UD’s dance team took third place for home routine (a dance prepared only for the competition), first place for fight song routine and received the Superior Trophy for Excellence for the team’s training.

The cheerleading team took second place for its cheer, won the Most Collegiate Award in Division I and walked away with the Game Traditions Award, an honor given to cheerleading teams with the best track record of excellent performances during games.

YoUDee took second-place mascot honors at the camp.