Editing YoUDee

{{Short description|Mascot of the University of Delaware}}
{{Infobox College Mascot
| name = YoUDee
| image = YoUDee_Laying_Down.jpg
| image_size = 
| caption = YoUDee laying on Raymond Field
| university = University of Delaware
| conference = Colonial Athletic Association
| conference_short = CAA
| description = [[Delaware Blue Hen|Blue Hen Chicken]]
| name_origin =
| first_seen = 1993
| related_mascots = Baby Blue, Air YouDee
| official_website =  [http://www.udel.edu/youdee/ YoUDee]
| hall_of_fame =  2006
}}
'''YoUDee''' (pronounced yoo-dee) is a mascot of the [[University of Delaware]], along with Baby Blue. It is an [[Anthropomorphism|anthropomorphic]] "fighting [[Delaware Blue Hen|Blue Hen]]", and its species is the blue hen, as the state bird of [[Delaware]]. While YoUDee appears masculine and can have male or female performers, it is "officially androgynous",<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://delawareonline.newspapers.com/image/118264338/|title=7 Sep 2012, Page B7 - The News Journal at Newspapers.com|website=The News Journal|location=Wilmington, DE|language=en|url-access=subscription|access-date=2019-11-05}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite journal|url=https://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/14369|title=YoUDee unplucked by fellow mascots|last=Aitken|first=Cassy|date=March 23, 2001|website=UDSpace|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909222035/https://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/14369|archive-date=September 9, 2015|access-date=November 13, 2019}}</ref> "neither female or male".<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://delawareonline.newspapers.com/image/165306460/|title=9 Jul 2008, Page 49 - The News Journal at Newspapers.com|website=The News Journal|location=Wilmington, DE|language=en|url-access=subscription|access-date=2019-11-06}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite journal|url=https://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/14865|title=Ten years of YoUDee mascot|last=Bishop|first=Natalie|date=February 20, 2004|website=UDSpace|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912030003/http://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/14865|archive-date=September 12, 2015|access-date=November 13, 2019}}</ref>

According to the University of Delaware, YoUDee's colors are Blue and Gold because its great-great-great-grandfather was awarded the gold medal for Valor during the [[Battle of Trenton]] in the [[American Revolutionary War]]. The men in the company commanded by Captain Jonathan Caldwell actually carried Blue Hens with them into combat in order to hold [[cockfight]]s in their spare time. It is said that the men under Capt. Caldwell had bravery in battles that was comparable to their fighting blue hen chickens.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bluehens.com/sports/2018/6/4/210071932.aspx|title=YoUDee Profile|website=University of Delaware Athletics|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701062546/https://bluehens.com/sports/2018/6/4/210071932.aspx|archive-date=July 1, 2019|access-date=November 6, 2011}}</ref>

== History ==

=== Pre-YoUDee ===
In 1911, the University of Delaware adopted the Blue Hen as its official mascot.<ref name=":6">{{Cite journal|url=https://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/14999|title=Blue Hens make worst mascot list|last=Stock|first=Susan|date=September 12, 1997|website=UDSpace|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907231434/https://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/14999|archive-date=September 7, 2015|access-date=November 13, 2019}}</ref>

In the 1930s, the initial physical mascot was a [[Life|live]] blue chicken that was tended to by members of the cheerleading team.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www1.udel.edu/Archives/archivesprogrammain.html|title=Collections|date=2018|website=University Archives and Records Management|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208162615/https://www1.udel.edu/Archives/archivesprogrammain.html|archive-date=February 8, 2018|access-date=November 21, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://delawareonline.newspapers.com/image/161828063/|title=The Man About Town|date=November 18, 1947|website=The News Journal at Newspapers.com|location=Wilmington, DE|page=6|url-access=subscription|access-date=November 6, 2019}}</ref> It is unclear if it was a blue hen, or a chicken with blue feathers, as it is believed there are no true descendants of "fighting blue hens of Revolutionary War times."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://delawareonline.newspapers.com/image/159818210/|title=Does our state bird, the blue hen, really exist?|last=White|first=Jim|date=August 13, 1987|website=13 Aug 1987, Page 108 - The Morning News at Newspapers.com|location=Wilmington, DE|url-access=subscription|access-date=November 6, 2019}}</ref>

Starting in 1950, several [[Costumed character|costumed]] "Fightin' Blue Hen" mascots existed. Little is known about them besides the fact that they were "a variety of light and dark blue suits."<ref name=":6" /> Few photographs of them can be found.<ref name=":12" /><ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/5688|title=Blue Hen Yearbook 1991, Organizations|date=1991|website=UDSpace|page=198|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907223117/https://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/5688|archive-date=September 7, 2015|access-date=November 22, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www1.udel.edu/Archives/exhibitions/becoming/spirit.html|title="The Spirit of Homecoming"|date=2018|website=University Archives and Records Management|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822174814/http://www1.udel.edu/Archives/exhibitions/becoming/spirit.html|archive-date=August 22, 2016|access-date=November 21, 2019}}</ref> All of the costumes were presumably retired before YoUDee appeared.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://delawareonline.newspapers.com/image/159498597/|title=21 Aug 1986, Page 88 - The Morning News at Newspapers.com|last=McKelvey|first=Judith|date=August 21, 1986|location=Wilmington, DE|url-access=subscription|access-date=November 6, 2019}}</ref>

One reader of ''[[The News Journal]]'' in Wilmington requested that one of the old mascot's costume should be displayed in the nearby [[Bob Carpenter Center]]. This reader was not alone, as a [[petition]] with over 1,000 signatures circulated the state of Delaware, demanding the same. The Athletics Department responded and objected to the petition on the grounds that there was no room for it, and that "it would be inappropriate."<ref name=":12">{{Cite news|title=Our Readers' Views: UD's first Blue Hen mascot deserves showcase in Bob|last=Tarrant|first=Shirley|date=January 28, 2003|work=News Journal|location=Wilmington, DE|page=A8}}</ref> Articles from the time indicated that at [[American football|football]] games, the old mascots were ridiculed and pelted with items such as "marshmallows" and "batteries" by students on a frequent basis.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://delawareonline.newspapers.com/image/164532982/|title=1 Feb 2006, Page 58 - The News Journal at Newspapers.com|website=The News Journal|location=Wilmington, DE|language=en|url-access=subscription|access-date=2019-11-06}}</ref> It is unclear if this was a recurring [[Sketch comedy|skit]] coordinated by the mascot team, or represented student emotions at the time.<gallery mode="nolines" class="center" caption="Costumed University of Delaware mascots before YoUDee">
File:UDSpace - Blue Hen Yearbook, 1966 - 1966 01 Student Life, page 17.png|Blue Hen Yearbook, 1966
File:UDSpace - Blue Hen Yearbook, 1970 - 1970 01 Dedication, page 11.png|Blue Hen Yearbook, 1970
File:UDSpace - Blue Hen Yearbook, 1991 - 1991 04 Organizations, page 198.png|alt=Blue Hen mascot standing in front of crowd.|Blue Hen Yearbook, 1991
File:UDSpace - Blue Hen Yearbook, 1992 - 1992 01 A Multititude of Faces, page 19.png|alt=Blue Hen mascot walking and waving on crosswalk.|Blue Hen Yearbook, 1992
File:January 28, 2003 - News Journal - A8 - The original Fightin' Blue Hen.jpg|alt=Blue Hen mascot standing in front of a fire truck.|''News Journal'', published in 2003
</gallery>A successor mascot would take its place. When the University of Delaware President [[David Roselle]] was questioned as to why there would be a new mascot, he said "[well], the obvious answer is, the old one wore out."<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://delawareonline.newspapers.com/image/158560670/|title=05 Sep 1993, Page 41 - The News Journal at Newspapers.com|last=Graham|first=Jim|date=September 5, 1993|location=Wilmington, DE|url-access=subscription|access-date=November 6, 2019}}</ref>

=== Hatching ===
YoUDee was first seen (or "hatched") at the Delaware-[[Lehigh University|Lehigh]] football game in [[Delaware Stadium]] on September 4, 1993,<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://mascothalloffame.com/mascots/current-mascot-inductees/|title=Get to know our 20 Hall of Famers! {{!}} Mascot Hall of Fame|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105214536/https://mascothalloffame.com/mascots/current-mascot-inductees/|archive-date=November 5, 2019|access-date=November 5, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www1.udel.edu/PR/UDaily/01-02/jointheteam.html|title=YoUDee - Join the Team|website=www1.udel.edu|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105214535/http://www1.udel.edu/PR/UDaily/01-02/jointheteam.html|archive-date=November 5, 2019|access-date=November 5, 2019}}</ref> after being created by Tom Sapp of Real Characters, Inc. (an Atlanta-based advertising agency.)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://delawareonline.newspapers.com/image/165046603/|title=29 Jan 2006, Page 39 - The News Journal at Newspapers.com|website=The News Journal|location=Wilmington, DE|language=en|url-access=subscription|access-date=2019-11-05}}</ref> Student performers were scouted to wear the costume. After two students applied and performed in tryouts, Robert Boudwin became the first performer of YoUDee. Boudwin worked to build YoUDee's personality and far-reaching image from "Delaware's infamous mascot" to "ass kickin' chickens."<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/5699|title=Blue Hen Yearbook 1996, Student Life|last=Vavala|first=Carol|date=1996|website=UDSpace|pages=16, 22|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909221008/https://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/5699|archive-date=September 9, 2015|access-date=November 22, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://delawareonline.newspapers.com/image/165046123/|title=29 Jan 2006, Page 33 - The News Journal at Newspapers.com|website=The News Journal|location=Wilmington, DE|language=en|url-access=subscription|access-date=2019-11-05}}</ref> With help from David Raymond, the original [[Phillie Phanatic]],<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|url=https://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/14947|title=Who will be the new YoUDee?|last=Bacolo|first=Adrian|date=October 12, 1999|website=UDSpace|page=A7|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912012031/https://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/14947|archive-date=September 12, 2015|access-date=November 21, 2019}}</ref> the university mascot program has become a gateway to several professional mascot careers.

Chris Bruce, a 2002 graduate earned YoUDee its initial first-place finish. Brandon Williams, a 2003 graduate became the [[Baltimore Ravens]] mascot [[Poe (mascot)|Poe]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www1.udel.edu/PR/UDaily/2009/jul/poe071408.html|title=Ravens' mascot Poe, former YoUDee, voted fiercest mascot|last=Mbugua|first=Martin|date=July 14, 2008|website=UDaily|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118145829/http://www1.udel.edu/PR/UDaily/2009/jul/poe071408.html|archive-date=January 18, 2017|access-date=November 7, 2019}}</ref> Other YoUDee alumni went on to perform [[Philadelphia Eagles]]' mascot [[Swoop (Philadelphia Eagles)|Swoop]], and Boudwin went on to perform as [[Clutch (mascot)|Clutch]] of the [[Houston Rockets]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://delawareonline.newspapers.com/image/165046603/|title=Mascot: Former YoUDees often go on to pro teams|date=January 29, 2006|website=The News Journal at Newspapers.com|location=Wilmington, DE|page=39|language=en|url-access=subscription|access-date=2019-11-05}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://www1.udel.edu/PR/UDaily/2004/youdee021304.html|title=Many faces of YoUDee to attend 10th birthday bash|last=Moncure|first=Sue|date=February 13, 2004|website=UDaily Archive|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050306074227/http://www1.udel.edu/PR/UDaily/2004/youdee021304.html|archive-date=March 6, 2005|access-date=November 7, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www1.udel.edu/PR/UDaily/2006/nov/mascot112305.html|title=Alum named NBA Mascot of the Year|last=Moncure|first=Sue|date=November 23, 2005|website=UDaily|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035141/https://www1.udel.edu/PR/UDaily/2006/nov/mascot112305.html|archive-date=March 4, 2016|access-date=November 7, 2019}}</ref>

Some controversy was aroused in November 1995 when YoUDee "mocked" middies ([[Midshipman|Midshipmen]]) at the [[United States Naval Academy]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://delawareonline.newspapers.com/image/159460089/|title=Ruffled feathers, clipped wings|last=Tomashek|first=Tom|date=November 14, 1995|website=The News Journal at Newspapers.com|location=Wilmington, DE|page=1|url-access=subscription|access-date=November 6, 2019}}</ref> According to reports some time after the incident, the disturbance was YoUDee [[mooning]] Midshipmen, then attempting to carry away the academy's two [[Bill the Goat|goat]] statues. It is speculated that the act was part of some fraternity [[hazing]] requirement.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://delawareonline.newspapers.com/image/159310532/|title=A primer when college football really starts|last=White|first=Brian|date=September 4, 1996|website=The News Journal at Newspapers.com|location=Wilmington, DE|page=23|url-access=subscription|access-date=November 6, 2019}}</ref> Though, not everyone viewed this as mocking, as there were purportedly "many fans, both Navy and Delaware" that enjoyed the mascot's behavior and performance, both before and during the game.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://delawareonline.newspapers.com/image/159432771/|title=No apology need for mascot's behavior|last=Woolard|first=James|date=December 3, 1995|website=The News Journal at Newspapers.com|location=Wilmington, DE|page=82|url-access=subscription|access-date=November 6, 2019}}</ref>

YoUDee was "listed as one of the 16 worst college mascots in the nation" in a ''[[Newsweek]]'' issue in 1997. By those interviewed at the time, it is believed this designation was given because YoUDee is "unique" or "not tough enough."<ref name=":6" /> In contrast, in 2005, YoUDee was chosen to star in a nationwide [[ESPNews|ESPN News]] advertisement,<ref name=":8">{{Cite journal|url=https://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/11208|title=YoUDee struts its stuff on television|last=Dieffenbach|first=Kate|date=September 27, 2005|website=UDSpace|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911233520/https://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/11208|archive-date=September 11, 2015|access-date=November 13, 2019}}</ref> and allegedly appeared on [[Wheel of Fortune (American game show)|''Wheel of Fortune'']], [[Hardball with Chris Matthews|''Hardball'' with Chris Matthews]], and ''[[Good Day Philadelphia]]''.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|url=http://www1.udel.edu/PR/UDaily/2007/aug/youdee081606.html|title=YoUDee inducted into Mascot Hall of Fame|last=Mbugua|first=Martin|date=August 16, 2006|website=UDaily Archive|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060821214601/http://www1.udel.edu/PR/UDaily/2007/aug/youdee081606.html|archive-date=August 21, 2006|access-date=November 13, 2019}}</ref>

Another dispute was with concerns over a [[Sketch comedy|skit]]. In 2006, YoUDee would be carrying a [[cake]], and a staff member would be displaying a sign that read "Happy Birthday Megan!" As the mascot climbed the stands, it would trip and crash into someone with the cake. Later on, the person covered in cake would be wearing a shirt that read "I got caked by [YoUDee.]" Sharon Harris, then Mascot Coordinator at the University of Delaware, in an interview said these skits were staged, and the person receiving the cake would always be a mascot team member.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://delawareonline.newspapers.com/image/164256684/|title=Ask Spark? Anything. Really.|last=Spark|date=October 4, 2006|website=The News Journal at Newspapers.com|location=Wilmington, DE|page=56|url-access=subscription|access-date=November 6, 2019}}</ref>

=== Coaching ===
The program has been directed by Sharon Harris under the university's Office of Public Relations since about 1999<ref name=":1" /> until summer of 2014 when the University Athletic Department took over the oversight of the mascot program.  This aligned the Cheer, Dance and Mascot programs under one umbrella of Spirit Program.  This was under new Spirit Coordinator Rob Ellery who oversaw the programs until summer of 2019 when Ryan Blandford took over.  Ryan was in charge through summer of 2024 when current Spirit Coordinator and long-time assistant/All-Girl Head Coach Kirby Lynch took over the mantle.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bluehens.com/sports/2018/11/12/spirit-traditions.aspx|title=Spirit & Traditions|website=University of Delaware Athletics|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190308211238/https://bluehens.com/sports/2018/11/12/spirit-traditions.aspx|archive-date=March 8, 2019|access-date=November 13, 2019}}</ref>

After transition to Athletics in 2014, Chad Mills moved to the coach position where he served until 2016.  From 2016 until 2021 there were various coaches, Tony Goldston, Abbie Martino and Kirby Lynch all had a hand in overseeing the team. Chad returned in 2021 and led the team through 2023.  In summer of 2023, Tony Goldston a long-time assistant coach with spirit, took over the Head Coach position.

=== ''Hello, YoUDee!'' ===
Dana Davis made a children's book titled ''Hello, YoUDee!'' which was released and published in 2013 by [[Mascot Books]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newarkpostonline.com/news/youdee-stars-in-newark-native-s-latest-children-s-book/article_703da99b-be3d-5792-b124-ebdfb9859a88.html|title=YoUDee stars in Newark native's latest children's book|last=Cobourn|first=Jack|date=August 5, 2013|website=Newark Post Online|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107123509/https://www.newarkpostonline.com/news/youdee-stars-in-newark-native-s-latest-children-s-book/article_703da99b-be3d-5792-b124-ebdfb9859a88.html|archive-date=November 7, 2019|access-date=November 7, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://isbnsearch.org/isbn/9781620862230|title=ISBN Search|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107123944/https://isbnsearch.org/isbn/9781620862230|archive-date=November 7, 2019|access-date=November 7, 2019}}</ref> It follows YoUDee around the University of Delaware campus before going to the "stadium for the big game."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.national5and10.com/product/university-of-delaware-hello-youdee-childrens-book/|title=University of Delaware "Hello, YoUDee!" Children's Book|website=National 5 & 10 Stores, Inc.|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107124056/https://www.national5and10.com/product/university-of-delaware-hello-youdee-childrens-book/|archive-date=November 7, 2019|access-date=November 7, 2019}}</ref> While the [[license]]d book refers to YoUDee with masculine [[pronoun]]s, YoUDee has been "neither male or female" since 2004.<ref name=":7" />

== Awards and recognition ==
On August 16, 2006, YoUDee was inducted into the NCAA [[Mascot Hall of Fame]], at a ceremony in Philadelphia's [[Love Park]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":9" /> This was caused in large part by "YoUDee's fan leadership."<ref name=":8" />

YoUDee has participated and won the [[Varsity Spirit|Universal Cheerleader's Association]] (UCA) National Mascot Championship open division several times: 
{| class="wikitable"
|+UCA National Championship
!Year
!Place
!Source
|-
|2025
|'''1st'''
|
|-
|2024
|2nd
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 14, 2024 |title=2024 UCA & UDA College Cheerleading & Dance Team National Championship |url=https://tv.varsity.com/events/11267291-2024-uca-uda-college-cheerleading-dance-team-national-championship/results |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117141140/https://tv.varsity.com/events/11267291-2024-uca-uda-college-cheerleading-dance-team-national-championship/results |archive-date=January 17, 2024 |access-date=January 17, 2024 |website=Varsity TV}}</ref>
|-
|2023
|'''1st'''
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=UCAupdates: Open Mascot Gold Medalist YoUDee from The University of Delaware |url=https://twitter.com/ucaupdates/status/1614348461004189696 |access-date=January 15, 2023 |website=Twitter}}</ref>
|-
|2022
|2nd
|<ref>{{Cite web|date=January 16, 2022|title=2022 UCA & UDA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship Results|url=https://tv.varsity.com/results/7334712-2022-uca-uda-college-cheerleading-and-dance-team-national-championship/31145|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119222741/https://tv.varsity.com/results/7334712-2022-uca-uda-college-cheerleading-and-dance-team-national-championship/31145|archive-date=January 19, 2022|access-date=January 19, 2022|website=Varsity TV}}</ref>
|-
|2021
|6th<sup>✝</sup>
|<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 28, 2021|title=UCA & UDA College Nationals, Live Now, Apr 27-28|url=https://tv.varsity.com/results/6985458-2021-uca-uda-college-cheerleading-dance-team-national-championship/29807|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428235511/https://tv.varsity.com/results/6985458-2021-uca-uda-college-cheerleading-dance-team-national-championship/29807|archive-date=April 28, 2021|access-date=April 28, 2021|website=Varsity TV}}</ref>
|-
|2020
|2nd
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tv.varsity.com/results/6640896-2020-uca-uda-college-cheerleading-dance-team-national-championship/27343|title=2020 UCA & UDA College Cheerleading & Dance Team National Championship Results|date=January 20, 2020|website=Varsity TV|page=Mascot Results|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200121221935/https://tv.varsity.com/results/6640896-2020-uca-uda-college-cheerleading-dance-team-national-championship/27343|archive-date=January 21, 2020|access-date=January 21, 2020}}</ref>
|-
|2019
|'''1st'''
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tv.varsity.com/events/6202569-2019-uca-uda-college-cheerleading-dance-team-national-championship/../../results/6310360-2019-uca-uda-college-cheerleading-dance-team-national-championship/25523|title=See the results for the 2019 UCA & UDA College Cheerleading & Dance Team National Championship varsity tv event on Varsity.com|website=tv.varsity.com|language=en|access-date=2019-11-04}}</ref>
|-
|2018
|2nd
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tv.varsity.com/events/6031374-2018-uca-uda-college-cheerleading-and-dance-team-national-championship/../../results/6071111-2018-uca-uda-college-cheerleading-and-dance-team-national-championship/23519|title=See the results for the 2018 UCA & UDA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship varsity tv event on Varsity.com|website=tv.varsity.com|language=en|access-date=2019-11-05}}</ref>
|-
|2017
|'''1st'''
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tv.varsity.com/articles/5059794-uca-uda-college-mascot-results-2017|title=UCA & UDA College: Mascot Results 2017|website=tv.varsity.com|date=11 January 2017 |language=en|access-date=2019-11-04}}</ref>
|-
|2016
|'''1st'''
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tv.varsity.com/results/6158088-2016-uca-uda-college-national-championship/24114|title=2016 UCA & UDA College National Championship Results — Mascots - Open|website=tv.varsity.com|language=en|access-date=2020-01-09}}</ref>
|-
|2015
|2nd
|
|-
|2014
|2nd
|
|-
|2013
|'''1st'''
|
|-
|2012
|'''1st'''
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newarkpostonline.com/features/ud-spirit-teams-among-best-at-national-championships/article_1d09bfbc-46a7-11e1-8861-0019bb2963f4.html|title=UD spirit teams among best at national championships|last=Rhodes|first=Jerry|date=January 24, 2012|website=Newark Post Online|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107213252/https://www.newarkpostonline.com/features/ud-spirit-teams-among-best-at-national-championships/article_1d09bfbc-46a7-11e1-8861-0019bb2963f4.html|archive-date=November 7, 2019|access-date=November 7, 2019}}</ref>
|-
|2011
|'''1st'''
|<ref name=":10">{{Cite journal|url=https://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/10796|title=Championship highlights strength of mascot program|last=Sorentino|first=Jessica|date=February 10, 2011|website=UDSpace|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912013223/https://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/10796|archive-date=September 12, 2015|access-date=November 13, 2019}}</ref>
|-
|2010
|2nd
|
|-
|2009
|'''1st'''
|<ref name=":10" />
|-
|2008
|5th
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www1.udel.edu/PR/UDaily/2008/jan/spirit012508.html|title=UD spirit teams take top prizes at national championships|last=Lipman|first=Sarah|date=January 25, 2008|website=UDaily|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080129063733/http://www1.udel.edu/PR/UDaily/2008/jan/spirit012508.html|archive-date=January 29, 2008|access-date=November 7, 2019}}</ref>
|-
|2007
|7th
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www1.udel.edu/PR/UDaily/2008/jan/spirit010908.html|title=Spirit Team send-off exhibition set Jan. 15|date=January 9, 2008|website=UDaily|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170117142921/http://www1.udel.edu/PR/UDaily/2008/jan/spirit010908.html|archive-date=January 17, 2017|access-date=November 7, 2019}}</ref>
|-
|2006
|4th
|<ref name=":11" />
|-
|2005
|4th
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www1.udel.edu/PR/UDaily/2005/dec/spirit012105.html|title=UD shines in Spirit Team nationals|last=Hutchinson|first=Becca|date=January 21, 2005|website=UDaily Archive|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050205013225/http://www1.udel.edu/PR/UDaily/2005/dec/spirit012105.html|archive-date=February 5, 2005|access-date=November 7, 2019}}</ref>
|-
|2004
|3rd
|<ref name=":4" />
|-
|2003
|8th
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www1.udel.edu/PR/UDaily/2003/nationals011403.html|title=UD dance team takes second, mascot and cheerleaders place eighth, at nationals|last=Thomas|first=Beth|date=January 14, 2003|website=UDaily Archive|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030210152024/http://www1.udel.edu/PR/UDaily/2003/nationals011403.html|archive-date=February 10, 2003|access-date=November 7, 2019}}</ref>
|-
|2002
|'''1st'''
|<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":10" /><ref name=":11">{{Cite web|url=http://delawareonline.newspapers.com/image/165046603/|title=Mascot: Former YoUDees often go on to pro teams|date=January 29, 2006|website=The News Journal at Newspapers.com|location=Wilmington, DE|page=39|language=en|url-access=subscription|access-date=November 5, 2019}}</ref>
|-
|2001
|4th
|
|-
|2000
|5th
|
|-
|1999
|2nd
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://delawareonline.newspapers.com/image/159395929/|title=YoUDee puts a feather in his cap at Fla. competition|date=January 14, 1999|website=The News Journal|location=Wilmington, DE|page=5|language=en|url-access=subscription|access-date=November 5, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://delawareonline.newspapers.com/image/159408355/|title=UD recognizes its spritied pep squads|date=January 25, 1999|website=The News Journal at Newspapers.com|location=Wilmington, DE|page=6|url-access=subscription|access-date=November 6, 2019}}</ref>
|}
In 2002, YoUDee won first place in the entire UCA National Mascot Championship. It is likely in 2009, the mascot competition would be split into '''Mascot Division IA''' for mascots belonging to universities with [[NCAA Division I|Division I football]] (FBS) teams, and '''Open Mascot''' for all other mascots. The latter division being the one YoUDee would compete in.<ref name=":10" />  YoUDee won their first national championship in 2002 which was in the single division defeating teams that now compete in Division 1A.  In 2009, YoUDee's second national championship they competed in the Open Division where they competed from 2009 to 2025.  Starting in 2026, with the university's move to FBS and Conference USA, YoUDee will be competing in Mascot Division 1A.

YoUDee has also been named to Capital One All-America Mascot Team in 2003,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://delawareonline.newspapers.com/image/164253613/|title=The Last Word|date=August 6, 2003|website=The News Journal|location=Wilmington, DE|page=43|language=en|url-access=subscription|access-date=November 6, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/espn/capitalone/bio|title=CapitalOne 2003 Mascot Bowl|date=2003|website=ESPN|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107115303/http://www.espn.com/espn/capitalone/bio|archive-date=November 7, 2019|access-date=November 7, 2019}}</ref> as well as first place in several UCA Mascot summer camps.<ref name=":6" />

<sup>✝</sup>Due to COVID-19, all mascots competed in one unified division. Whereas previously, YoUDee has been competing in the Open Mascot division for several years.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.udel.edu/youdee/ University of Delaware | YoUDee Profile]
* [http://portal.delaware.gov/delfacts/animal.shtml State Bird Entry at "Delaware Facts and Symbols"]
* {{cite news |author=Taylor, Allison |title=YoUDee puts a feather in his cap at Fla. competition |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/38273703/the_news_journal |newspaper=[[The News Journal]] |date=January 14, 1999 |access-date=November 1, 2019}}
* {{cite news |author=Kipp, Rachel |title=Mascot cloaked in secrecy, and silly suit |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/38273833/the_news_journal/ |newspaper=The News Journal |date=November 28, 2007 |access-date=November 1, 2019}}

{{University of Delaware}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Youdee}}
[[Category:Coastal Athletic Association mascots]]
[[Category:Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens]]
[[Category:Chicken mascots]]
[[Category:Mascots introduced in 1993]]
[[Category:Anthropomorphic chickens]]