YoUDee faces Miami's Sebastian in Capital One Mascot Challenge playoffs

12:21 p.m., Nov. 26, 2012--The University of Delaware’s national champion mascot YoUDee has reached the Capital One Mascot Challenge playoffs, and is facing Sebastian the Ibis of the University of Miami in the opening round.

YoUDee defeated Mike the Tiger of Louisiana State University in the last round of the challenge’s “regular season” to go 8-4, good for the playoff berth.

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The playoffs are single elimination. Fans can vote at the Capital One Bowl website, and are encouraged to use the contest’s Facebook and Twitter access to remind friends to cast their ballots.

“Thanks to Blue Hens around the world for their support of YoUDee through the first 12 weeks of the Capital One Mascot Challenge,” said Sharon Harris of the Office of Communications and Marketing, who directs the mascot program. “It is a great honor to be represented among the final eight mascots in the playoffs and we are very grateful for your votes. We encourage the campus community to continue to vote this week as we attempt to reach the second round of the playoffs for a shot at the national championship.”

In addition to YoUDee and Sebastian, the playoffs include: Cocky of the University of South Carolina matched against Sparty of Michigan State University; Ms. Wuf of North Carolina State University against Cam the Ram of Colorado State University; and Raider Red of Texas Tech University against Truman the Tiger of the University of Missouri.

YoUDee is enshrined in the Mascot Hall of Fame and is the defending national mascot champion, having won the top prize at the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) College Cheerleading and Dance National Championships held in January at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla.

After being selected by Capital One, members of the YoUDee mascot team traveled to Los Angeles to participate in the preparation of promotional materials for the challenge. The Capital One Mascot Challenge site now features humorous videos of the mascots.

The Capital One National Mascot of the Year will be announced at the Capital One Bowl on Jan. 1, 2013, and will be awarded a $20,000 scholarship to help fund its school’s mascot program. Each of the 2012 Capital One All-America team members will also receive $5,000 for their university mascot program.