There was a special buzz in the air during this year’s One Day, One Dayton. It was a different kind of energy that anyone near Central Mall could feel during the lunch hour, even if they couldn’t identify it.
Food trucks were lined up to serve everything from tacos to iced coffee. The big tent was pumping music across the lawn. Even Rudy was there, weaving between the crowd, giving high-fives and hugs.
But behind every cheerful pose or picture snapped, Rudy was hiding a secret.
Rudy was actually alumnus Todd Smith ’86.
For the first time since he donned the iconic suit as a student in the 1980s, Smith embodied Rudy once again in support of UD’s annual giving day.
“My favorite part of being Rudy was watching the reactions I would get from fans — old, young, security guards, officials, other mascots — by interacting with them,” Smith said.
“I always wanted the fans to have a special memory from our interactions.”
Some students and staff noted that they noticed Rudy had an extra little skip in his step that afternoon, and plenty of spirit. Smith said it was an honor to embody Rudy again, especially on such an important day for UD.
“This was another opportunity to use my personality and energy to have some fun again with the kids on campus,” said Smith. “It was a fantastic day that brought back a ton of fun memories.”