Pumas CU's 90th Anniversary: A Year of High Expectations

The National Autonomous University of Mexico is celebrating. In 2017, it marks 90 years since American football became a part of the university's history, and expectations are sky high for Pumas CU as they have a promising team that can compete for the championship.

There are many who would like to see the university team become champions this year in the Major League of the National Student American Football Organization (ONEFA). Due to its history and tradition, there are those who believe that this 90th anniversary should be crowned with a trophy in the UNAM's showcases.

This desire to become champions is prevalent within the team. As stated by Abraham Herrera, defensive end and team captain, in an interview with La Afición, winning the championship in the 90th anniversary is an incentive to give their best.

"The celebration that all the players are thinking of is giving the University a championship. That is the ultimate celebration, to become champions in the 90th anniversary. It would be something marvelous because we would reaffirm a title and, above all, the celebration in the 90th anniversary would be the cherry on top of the cake," Herrera said.

The task has not been easy. The preparation started in January with warm-up training, such as running in the Bosque de Tlalpan, and even climbing Pico del Águila in Ajusco to gradually return to the fields, define the team, and get ready for a new sports year.

"We can always improve and work on our mistakes," highlighted Herrera, who sees the team more focused and better prepared physically compared to last year. "(The players) are happy to be here and that is why they came. Any player could say that. They are here because they enjoy playing and Pumas is no exception. This year, we are sure we want to win."

However, the fact that 90 years of this sport are being celebrated at the University does not mean that this is Pumas CU's main motivation to win the championship. The team has the talent and preparation to compete year after year, so fighting to lift the trophy has become a constant demand.

"We are not obliged to win because of the 90 years. We are obliged to win because that is why we train. We train to be champions and not just to win one or two games in the season, or become runners-up, or to see what happens. Every year, we have trained like this and we have achieved it. Not for the celebration, although that would be very good," Herrera stated.

On the other hand, Otto Becerril, the team's coach, knows that his team has the necessary level to emerge victorious this year and is aware that they must win, though he clarifies that, beyond such an important milestone, the main reason is to give their best in front of their fans.

"For us, it is always an obligation to go out there and give our best efforts and competencies. That is what we always focus on, trying to win the championship. This year, our focus is the same: to have the team that this university deserves and give the best of our efforts," said the coach, while emphasizing that the first goal is to reach the playoffs.

Meanwhile, Raúl Rivera, the ONEFA director and former coach of the team, told La Afición that, although he expects the best for the auriazul team, the competition will be tough and anyone can be the winner this season.

"Any coach, authority, and player would like to celebrate the first or the 90th year with a championship. However, nowadays, the reality is that the competition is very even. I don't know the team's current level, but obviously I wish them the best in the season so they can celebrate as they want," Rivera said.