8:02 a.m., Sept. 28, 2010----With fall sports in full swing, the University of Delaware cheerleading, dance and mascot squads continue to fire up fans of the Fightin' Blue Hens at Delaware Stadium and beyond.

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For the UD spirit teams, the season began with the United Cheerleading Association and Universal Dance Association's summer camp held in August at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania.

Led by second year head coach Ben Schreiber, the cheerleading team took first place in cheer and sideline, and also were co-named as “most collegiate” among 60 cheerleading teams attending the camp.

The dance team, under head coach Nicole Daliessio-Zehnder, earned first place in home routine, second place for fight song, college dance program excellence and a superior trophy for overall excellence.

The mascot team, which includes fan favorites YoUDee, Baby Blue and Air YoUDee, garnered a leadership award, camp championship and, for the first time, a superior (tradition) award.

UD cheerleaders

“When we are at camp, we concentrate on the competition,” Schreiber said. “Once the school year starts, our primary job is to promote school sports here at UD.”

Michael Martinez, a junior from Saddle Brook, N.J., with majors in quantitative biology and exercise physiology, said, “I was a walk-on, and I'm glad I got the opportunity to come out for the team.”

Marissa Skiff, a freshman psychology major from Roselle Park, N.J., said, “Being on the cheerleading team has been my dream since grade six. It's great, because people watch out for each other. We work hard and have fun.”

UD dance team

While the dance team takes its own music tapes with them to camp, the style of the music and the dance routines change yearly, Daliessio-Zehnder said.

“I have been coaching for seven years, and every year is different,” she said. “Our teams change each year, so we go to each camp with different routines expectations.”

Alyssa Quezada, a senior exercise major from East Windsor, N.Y., said, “I enjoy the camaraderie. We are like family. They are all my best friends, and we definitely share this bond.”

Kelli Godfrey, a senior marketing and international business major from Waldorf, Md., said, “We are willing to give 110 percent, and it's great to work hard to accomplish something.”

YoUDee mascot team

Sharon Harris, assistant director in the Office of Communications and Marketing and coordinator of the mascot program, said, “Our students are always excited to go to camp and do their best, and that is why camp is such a great experience for the whole team.”

Kevin DiGirolamo, a senior from Hockessin, Del., with an organizational and community leadership major and a business administration minor, said, “Camp is a preparation for the season, and that performing during football season means getting to know your audience well.”

Janie Davidson, a junior chemical engineering major and Honors Program student from Metuchen, N.J., said that “I learned about the mascot team online and I tried out. I love the school spirit stuff.”

Article by Jerry Rhodes
Photos by Evan Krape