Many faces of YoUDee to attend 10th birthday bash

YoUDee gets the party started as pieces of a birthday cake are prepared for distribution at the women’s basketball game at The Bob Sunday afternoon, Feb. 8.

11:12 a.m., Feb. 13, 2004--Chest out, head up, wings waving and tail feathers swishing, wearing size 28F gym shoes, UD’s popular mascot YouDee is having a 10th birthday bash during half time at the UD vs. University of North Carolina at Wilmington basketball game, beginning at 7:30, Monday, Feb. 16, at The Bob.

The big blue bird has invited some special guests for the occasion—the student performers who, in the past, have been part of the YoUDee team. They will be present at the birthday celebration to join cheerleaders, the dance team, students and fans in singing “Happy Birthday,” according to mascot coordinator Sharon Harris, assistant director in the Office of Public Relations,

Some past YoUDees have become professional mascots, including Clutch of the Houston Rockets, Swoop of the Philadelphia Eagles, Ferrous of the Aberdeen IronBirds and Reggie of the Raymond Entertainment Group, Harris said. These mascots will join YoUDee in a friendly, but frenetic, game of basketball during halftime. All the mascots will mingle with fans during the second half and be available for autographs.

No birthday party is complete without cake, which will be served by UD Dining Services in the concourse behind The student section at the Bob.

In January, YoUDee took third place in a field of 19 college and university mascots competing at the College National Championships held at Walt Disney World in Florida.

Article by Sue Moncure
Photo by Duane Perry

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