Diego Alatorre at UBC Football Training Camp

VANCOUVER – UBC’s training camp has an international flare this year as recruit Diego Alatorre fights for a stating spot on the T-Bird offensive line. Alatorre is a native of Guadalajara, Mexico and will go down as the very first Mexican national to play for UBC when the regular season begins. Alatorre started playing football seven years ago in Mexico, where the North American version of the game has quickly skyrocketed to the second most popular sport in that country over the last decade, trailing only soccer. “The sport is just getting bigger in Mexico. There are NFL games coming now,” said Alatorre, referring to Mexico City’s sold out NFL game in 2016 and scheduled game for the 2017 season between the Oakland Raiders and the New England Patriots at Estadio Azteca. The 6’2” 300 pound Alatorre is decisive in explaining the goals for his freshman year at UBC. “I just want to get my starting spot locked in and to work hard to get that Vanier Cup.” T-Bird All-Canadian and Grey Cup champion, Jason Riley has been brought in as a guest offensive line coach for UBC’s training camp. He is impressed with Alatorre’s progression thus far. “With the language barrier and the cultural differences, you take all that into consideration and he has just been fantastic,” explained Riley. “He’s been a pleasant surprise every single day.” “Obviously I miss home,” said Alatorre. “But the weather is perfect, it’s a beautiful university and I’m just happy to be here.” UBC's 2017 training camp continues until August 23, when the 'Birds will travel to Kamloops for a Canada West non-conference game against the Alberta Golden Bears.