University of Delaware Athletics
Celebration of Champions: YouDee Wins 2011 Mascot National Championship
2/25/2021 10:02:00 AM | Delaware Athletics
"Nationals 2011 was an experience I will never forget. Nationals - in general for anyone who has been there - is always an experience but in 2011, I felt it a little differently. Nationals doesn't just happen in a few months, it happens all year round. Filming ... always filming because you never know when you're going get that clip that gets you to Florida.
"Submitting our entry video, we got a first-place bid and we were stoked! Skit preparation started immediately, brainstorming all night to come up with those witty ideas to wow the judges. Then finally, producing the perfect skit and the props to go along with, then starting the runs through and practicing. I spent so many hours listening to the 90-second skit music through my iPod that I am quite sure it was in my dreams.
"Heading to nationals, the butterflies started to build, seeing all the other mascots with their costumes, props, and routines. It really makes you want to nail every turn, every hip pop, and make sure every gag was timed perfectly. Waiting in the queue to perform, I sat there in costume, beyond nervous, knowing that YoUDee was not going to let anyone down. I moved out to the floor, the music started, I blinked and it was over. In a flash I had gone through the skit, hit all the marks and the crowd was going wild!
"Walking back out to the floor after the remaining skits finished up, they announced the winners, 3rd place, 2nd place, and in first place, my heart dropped … YoUDee from the University of Delaware. All I remember saying is you did it YoUDee! You did it, you crazy hen!"
– Chad Mills
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"Submitting our entry video, we got a first-place bid and we were stoked! Skit preparation started immediately, brainstorming all night to come up with those witty ideas to wow the judges. Then finally, producing the perfect skit and the props to go along with, then starting the runs through and practicing. I spent so many hours listening to the 90-second skit music through my iPod that I am quite sure it was in my dreams.
"Heading to nationals, the butterflies started to build, seeing all the other mascots with their costumes, props, and routines. It really makes you want to nail every turn, every hip pop, and make sure every gag was timed perfectly. Waiting in the queue to perform, I sat there in costume, beyond nervous, knowing that YoUDee was not going to let anyone down. I moved out to the floor, the music started, I blinked and it was over. In a flash I had gone through the skit, hit all the marks and the crowd was going wild!
"Walking back out to the floor after the remaining skits finished up, they announced the winners, 3rd place, 2nd place, and in first place, my heart dropped … YoUDee from the University of Delaware. All I remember saying is you did it YoUDee! You did it, you crazy hen!"
– Chad Mills
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