Spirit Rally brings campus together behind Fightin’ Blue Hens

For a Spirit Rally photo album, click here.

Led by the cheerleading squad, 300-plus students, faculty and staff chanted, “Let's go, Blue Hens,” then clapped along to the Fight Song played by members of the Marching Band.

4:44 p.m., Dec. 11, 2003--

“And then we'll fight! fight! fight! for Delaware,
Fight for the Blue and Gold,
And when we hit that line,
Our team is there with a daring spirit bold.”

The Delaware Fight Song echoed through the Trabant University Center, Thursday, Dec. 11, as hundreds of UD students turned out to urge the Hens on to victory Saturday, Dec. 13, when the team takes on the Wofford University Terriers in the semifinal game of the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs.

Led by the cheerleading squad, 300-plus students, faculty and staff chanted, “Lets go Blue Hens,” then clapped along to the fight song played by members of the Marching Band.

YoUDee and other members of the mascot team worked the room urging everyone to attend the game and to go to [http://www.udel.edu/PR/YoUDee] to vote for YoUDee in this year’s national mascot of the year competition, while fans ate 1,680 slices of pizza, donated by Dining Services, and drank 1,000 cups of soda, donated by the Philadelphia Coca-Cola Bottling Co.

Students won prizes like YoUDee hats and stuffed animals, T-shirts and football shirts donated by the UD Bookstore. The River 94.7 FM and WVUD, the University’s radio station, also gave out freebies.

Mike Corey, the voice of the Blue Hens on The River 94.7 FM, emceed the rally. He urged everyone to turn out Saturday and reminded the crowd that the game will be carried on national cable television by ESPN2.

UD President David Roselle said that the size and spirit of the crowd cheering the team on Saturday does make a difference. He credited the support of UD fans with helping the team be so successful and urged the students to continue that support on Saturday. “We would like to fill Delaware Stadium to overflowing on Saturday. I’ll be there; you be there!” he said.

Athletics Director Edgar N. Johnson thanked the students for their support and for supporting their team in a “classy” way. He said the school spirit shown at home games has helped this team win more games played in Delaware Stadium in one season than any other UD team. “Get your cheer sticks, have fun and cheer us on to victory Saturday,” he said.

The crowd roared when Head Coach K.C. Keeler stepped up to the podium. “I can’t tell you how fired up we get when we see the students in the south stands cheering us on.”

Keeler was followed by players Andy Hall, quarterback; Shawn Johnson, defensive lineman; Germaine Bennett, running back; Mondoe Davis, linebacker; and Mike Adams, defensive back and co-captain, who told supporters that they are the 12th member of the football team.

Article by Barbara Garrison
Photos by Kathy Atkinson

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