Former Psychology major Markus Trujillo ’15 handled kicking and punting duties for the Panthers during their historic 2014 SCIAC Championship campaign. Accounting for 142 points and a 78% field goal percentage throughout his Chapman career, Trujillo earned First Team All-SCIAC honors his junior and senior seasons, as well as a Second Team All-Conference award his sophomore year. Markus had the chance to reflect on his time as a student-athlete at Chapman below:

What have you been up to since graduating from Chapman?

“I have the privilege to work for a company that has allowed me the opportunity to develop and overlook a kindergarten readiness program that serves amazing kids between the ages of 2 and 6 years, diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Outside of my day to day job, I have an immense passion to continue finding ways to better serve families of children with ASD (or autistic children, to families who prefer to identify). This journey has led to a passion project, in which I am honored to partner with my brilliant friends, Melina and Jordan Gipson, with the central idea to create an Autism-Minded vacation home. Our driving mission is to provide a safe, comfortable, and fun experience for families with unique and important needs that are often overlooked and under-addressed.

The development of this project, led by Jordan Gipson, spanned 2 years and endured our literal blood sweat and tears to make this home special for a community that deserves it. In August of 2022 we launched AUTxcapes, with our first location in Yucca Valley, CA next to Joshua Tree National Park. To give back to a community that is incredibly welcoming, kind and selfless, we offer giveaways and modified rates through our social media accounts and website. We also provide the opportunity for any one to donate for families to experience AUTxcapes. You can find us at @autxcapes on Instagram and Facebook or our website at AUTxcapes.com.”

How has your time as both a student and an athlete at Chapman shaped your post-graduate experience?

“To be honest, starting my post-student athlete life was like being dropped in the middle of the ocean with skills to survive but having to navigate multiple maps each having different directions and obstacles to get to shore. In this analogy, shore is stability in my career and personal life and the survival skills are the foundational skills and knowledge I gained from being a student and athlete at Chapman, including the lasting impact of my mentors and peers. These skills have allowed me the privilege to take risks, be vulnerable, and find personal and progressional growth in failure as much as in success.”

What were some of your favorite memories from your time as a student-athlete?

“All the momentous experiences I reflect on were a product of the people whom I have been honored to be surrounded by.

From the day to day grind and stress of a student and athlete to the free days that were filled with quality time around people I loved, for me, it all comes down to being able to experience that brief part of my life with friends, coaches/professors, and mentors that have been a major influence to my life today. This was also the beginning of my journey of self and learning it was not just about filling time with others but to be learn to be comfortable in the time with myself. Often logging countless minutes of listening to Taylor Swift.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

“Chapman has provided me influential experiences that has led to the development of lifelong friendships and relationships, my career and passions, and personal self.”