A true Unicauca student has experienced with immense emotion a departmental, regional, and/or national football final in the university games organized by the Colombian Association of Universities - ASCUN. How can one not be a part of those moments when we all become one voice, cheering for these great athletes who wear the number 10 and give their all and more on the field? Impossible! So, in 2022, we were there to support our football team. This team finished fourth nationally after winning at the departmental and regional levels, and that's when the great talent, dedication, and performance of the team's forward, David Alejandro Orozco, shone even brighter.

Orozco, as he is known locally, was born in the Arauca department. However, when he was around 5 years old, due to his mother's job, his family moved to Popayán, a city where he began studying at the Technical Industrial Educational Institution, while also starting his sports journey with the El Diamante Football Club. "Basically, those were my beginnings, more to expend energy because I was a very restless child, so they took me there to train," says the player, who has become one of the most important sports figures for Unicauca. In addition to becoming a high-performance player, he is on the verge of obtaining his undergraduate degree.

Orozco quickly stood out as a good player. Who hasn't had in their group of friends, among neighborhood acquaintances, or within their own families, that 'diamond in the rough' who is always on the verge of being discovered and just needs the culmination of efforts and preparation to align with a great opportunity? Orozco continued his studies alongside his sporting career: he graduated from high school and started studying Law at our Alma Mater. Here, he quickly became a key player for our university football team. This isn't surprising since David Alejandro had already made significant contributions to teams such as Universitario Popayán, Deportivo Independiente Popayán, and Bogotá Fútbol Club.

He made the most of various opportunities and experiences to grow in the sports arena while also ensuring he maintained his academic level: "I entered the university long before being with Universitario de Popayán because I always liked law; it always caught my attention, and that made it easier for me. Over the years, when I was playing professional football, there were times when I stopped playing and focused on advancing my studies. Thanks to God, there was always time to juggle both things," adds the player.

His time with the University of Cauca's football team and especially the experience of the 2022 ASCUN DAF National University Games had a significant impact on the athlete. He tells us, "Last year, we were finally able to play at least a regional and national level. We felt like a professional team because we could see everything the university did to support us and ensure we were in good shape, from the facilities where we were accommodated to the food and transportation. I think the university really stands out there because it protects and supports athletes."

Without a doubt, when we hear this story, we can see the great evolution of the athlete, who is on the verge of completing his undergraduate degree. His journey reflects how often we limit our talents when we believe we can only excel in one area. David Alejandro is proof that we can achieve everything we set our hearts on. "I think that now, due to maturity and everything I've achieved over the years, I've enjoyed it a bit more. I haven't stressed as much about the matches. I was very calm in the final because one learns to handle things differently," Orozco says with a smile on his face.

Finally, from this university, which is not just a place of thought but also a great sports breeding ground, we want to express how proud we are to have dedicated individuals like David Alejandro within our university community. We wish him all the success for the upcoming semester. We hope that, along with Patriotas de Boyacá, they secure the title for the second season and make it to the first division. We are confident that we will see him playing in the top-flight teams.

"Be more perseverant in pursuing your dreams because, in the end, hard work and discipline are the paths to achieving our goals. Here in Popayán, there is a lot of talent, and at Unicauca, in all sports, we always have national representatives. For those coming behind, chasing a dream: persevere, work hard, give your all to achieve it. At the university level, I'm also grateful to the institution because I know they support sports, support national representatives. We have a lot of selection for Colombia in various areas. So, keep up the hard work because, in the end, it's everyone's task to elevate the name of Popayán and Unicauca as high as possible," are the words of our future lawyer and excellent athlete, with which we want to motivate all Unicauca students to continue giving their all in sports competitions while also completing their professional studies.

Unicauca will always be their home, a place always ready to support them on their path to achieving all their dreams because in doing so, we also strengthen a University of Excellence and Solidarity.