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| Vol. 19, No. 3 | Sept. 9, 1999 |
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| Vol. 19, No. 3 | Sept. 9, 1999 |
Instead of leading cheers, UD cheerleaders, dance team members and the irrepressible mascot, YoUDee, were on the receiving end when they won top honors at the Universal Cheerleading Association's College Cheerleading Spirit Camp this summer.
When it came to demonstrating school spirit and skills, the group led the rest of the schools in several categories.
UD cheerleaders won the Division I Most Collegiate Team award. "This is the fourth year the UD cheerleaders have won this top award," coach Joe Mackley said. "It is given for overall good sportsmanship, friendliness and generally being goodwill representatives of your home school."
The team also took first place in sidelines, the smaller cheerleading routines, and second place in the fight song competition.
"The cheerleading squad did phenomenally well," Mackley said, "considering that we lost many of the experienced men cheerleaders from last year."
The dance team won trophies for its spirited routines, taking first place in the fight song category and second place in the home routine competition. The 18 members of the team each had to do individual routines, and each of them received a blue ribbon, according to coach Ann Marie Parisi.
In addition, she said, the team received the award as the most improved team in its division, which indicates growth in the program.
YoUDee received recognition as well. The Fightin' Blue Hen won first place for the Most Collegiate Mascot, the major award given to the mascot demonstrating the most school spirit and pride in his or her school and best representing his or her home institution. YoUDee also took second place in overall performance.
"The mascot program is one the whole campus can be proud of, with YoUDee continuing its winning ways," Sharon Harris, public relations, said.
"It's clear that after YoUDee's second-place national win last winter and these latest honors, we've got a first-rate mascot program. The mascot program owes a special debt to David Raymond, UD '79, who worked with the students," Harris said.
According to Mackley, "It was great to do so well at camp, and we're looking forward to the challenge of competing in the Universal Cheerleading Association nationals in January at Orlando."
-Sue Moncure
