University of Delaware
Office of Public Relations
UpDate - Vol. 16, No. 29, May 1

               YoUDee makes mark in ESPNET mascot battle
     
     YoUDee, the University of Delaware Fightin' Blue Hen,
was one of 16 mascots competing in the ESPNET SportsZone
Battle of the Mascots on the World Wide Web.
     The contest was held in connection with the National
Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) March Madness
basketball championships.
     Described by SportsZone as "one fierce-looking bird,"
who has "catapulted into college mascot stardom after only
four years of existence," YoUDee was pitted against Big 10
Penn State's Nittany Lion in the first round. When the vote
was in, YoUDee lost but made a good showing, since Penn
State students and alums outnumber loyal YoUDee fans more
than three to one, according to Ed Stoner, public relations.
     The national winner was the University of Wisconsin's
Bucky the Badger.
     "It was an honor for YoUDee to have been part of this
year's Battle of the Mascots. We met a tough competitor in
Penn State's Nittany Lion, and PSU's faithful alumni cast
more votes on-line, eliminating YoUDee. If we are selected
again next year, I hope the UD community will log-on in even
greater numbers to support our talented mascot," Stoner
said.
     In 1996, YoUDee was selected by Universal Cheerleading
Association (UCA) as one of the four top mascots in the
country at a Florida national competition.
     In July, YoUDee will strut into the national spotlight
as one of only 10 college mascots to be selected for the
Mascot Olympics in Florida-a Make-A-Wish Foundation event
primarily featuring professional mascots.
     In addition to appearances at athletic, campus and
local events (not to mention delivering YoUDee grams on
Valentine's Day and birthdays), YoUDee has competed in and
taken top honors at mascot talent competitions. The Fightin'
Blue Hen house modestly displays 1994 and 1996 winning
trophies from the UCA Eastern Regional Camp.
     Other YoUDee activities have been appearances at an
Atlanta  Sporting Goods Manufacturing Association convention
and trade show, representing the Collegiate Licensing
Company, which merchandises YoUDee clothing and other items,
and an appearance at the National Association of College
Stores convention in Baltimore.
     Former students in UD's mascot program have gone on to
use their talents as mascots for the Houston Rockets,
Washington Capitals and Washington Bullets.