Pumas Dorados de la UNAM

Also known as "Pumas CU", "Pumas", or "Universidad" is the varsity American football team representing the National Autonomous University of Mexico (Spanish: Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, or UNAM). Is one of the most important and oldest teams in Mexico. They maintain a fierce rivalry with teams from the National Polytechnic Institute (Spanish: Instituto Politécnico Nacional, or IPN) particularly with its Miguel Hidalgo based team from Santo Tomás, Águilas Blancas.

History

The team was founded in 1927 by a group of students led by Noriega brothers, but it wasn't until 1931 when Pumas was officially the varsity team of National Autonomous University of Mexico. In addition, American oil magnate Harry Ford Sinclair sponsored the team with generous donations until 1935. In the early years, Pumas had a long string of consecutive championships from 1933 to 1945 (including an appearance in the 1945 Sun Bowl; this was followed by the so-called "Golden Age" of 1946 to 1957. Between the years 1958 and 1969 the team consolidated its position within ONEFA, Mexico's league of American football. For the period 1970-1980 the university authorities decided to disband the team and create three teams (Cóndores / Condors; Aguilas Reales / Royal Eagles; and Guerreros Aztecas / Aztec Warriors), from 1981 to 1990 only the Cóndores could reclaim the tradition of the Pumas and win championships. In 1998, the University government decided to reduced to one team per campus and created Pumas CU and Acatlan. Unfortunately, conditions within the league and the existence of other powerful newcomer squads undermined the strength and dominance of the team. Its first position tradition vanished rapidly during the seasons of 1998 to 2007. Pumas Dorados has been represented since 1969 by a selection of the best players of all UNAM teams until 2002, they didn't play any regular season game, though. Pumas Dorados used to play a Classic game against Burros Blancos at the end of season until 2002 when it was suspended.

National Championships

• In 2008 was created another league for the major category in Mexico (Liga Mayor) and the National Championship is shared in 2 leagues since then.

+ This is not the same team as previous Pumas Dorados teams. Championships in 2008 and 2010 were won by the Main Campus (CU). There is another Pumas team located in Acatlan Campus. Pumas Dorados currently represents a selection of the best players of both Pumas teams and the last selection was made in 2002 and played against a selection of the best players of the IPN.

Rivalry

The team has an historic rivalry with Aguilas Blancas IPN, due to both of them being the biggest public universities in the country. More recently, another mayor rivalry arise with Borregos Salvajes Mty, Borregos Salvajes CEM and Aztecas UDLAP.

Venue

The team plays at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario in Mexico City, inaugurated in 1952 with the game between Pumas and Burros Blancos. Capacity: 68000.

External links

• Fan Site of the Pumas Dorados de la UNAM (in Spanish)
• "Somos Pumas" Unnoficial Page Pumas Acatlán that it gives service to infantile and youthful FBA leagues (in Spanish)
• (Spanish) tackleo.com American Football in Mexico