obvious answer is, the old one wore out." Hatching YoUDee was first seen (or "hatched") at the Delaware-Lehigh football game in Delaware Stadium on September 4, 1993, after being created by Real Characters (an Atlanta-based advertising agency.) 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." With help from David Raymond, the original Phillie Phanatic, the university mascot program has become a gateway to several professional mascot careers. Chris Bruce, a 2002 graduate that earned YoUDee its initial first-place finish, joined Raymond's mascot-making company, Real Characters. Brandon Williams, a 2003 graduate became the Baltimore Ravens mascot Poe. Other YoUDee alumni went on to perform Philadelphia Eagles' mascot Swoop, and Boudwin went on to perform as Clutch of the Houston Rockets. Some controversy was aroused in November 1995 when YoUDee "mocked" middies (Midshipmen) at the United States Naval Academy. According to reports some time after the incident, the disturbance was YoUDee mooning Midshipmen, then attempting to carry away the Academy's two goat statues. It is speculated that the act was part of some fraternity hazing requirement. 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. 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." In contrast, in 2005, YoUDee was chosen to star in a nationwide ESPN News advertisement, and allegedly appeared on Wheel of Fortune, Hardball with Chris Matthews, and Good Day Philadelphia. Another dispute was with concerns over a 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