Mesa’s Murillo pays his dues

There is always light at the end of the tunnel.

That message was prominent among the points made by Costa Mesa High football coach Glen Fisher at the team’s banquet on Monday night.

Standing before a crowded room at the Costa Mesa Country Club, Fisher cited one example after another of resiliency and refusal to quit.

Certainly, the Mustangs could have given up. Temptation tests resolve when a team is on the brink of a winless season.

And yet, the Mustangs listened to their messenger. In Fisher, they found someone who believes nothing is forever. Things can be fixed.

On the field, Costa Mesa came out a winner in its final game, defeating Saddleback, 6-0.

Coaches, especially at the high school level, will tell you that performance on the field is just one part of their job. Central to who they are is their desire to see student-athletes through to becoming successful, well-rounded individuals.

Many qualifying players were brought up to be honored at the Mustangs’ banquet. There were 14 scholar-athletes who achieved a grade-point average of 3.0 or better.

Senior Roman Ayala took home numerous awards, from team MVP to the Edgar C. Baume Scholarship, given annually to the player who exhibits vision, integrity, and commitment to their goals.

But a special twinkle came to Fisher’s eye when he began to speak about a young sophomore who didn’t play a down of football this season.

Aaron Murillo received a varsity letter after he was declared academically ineligible at the start of summer training camp. Students must maintain a GPA of at least 2.0 to compete in high school sports.

Fisher broke the bad news to Murillo in a one-on-one meeting in his office. He then cut a deal with Murillo, who was desperate to remain in the sport.

“I knew it was a situation where he needed to get it done in the classroom,” Fisher said. “I didn’t want to turn him out because we can help kids.”

The second-year Mustangs coach gave Murillo an ultimatum. He had to adhere to the deal in order to stay with the program.

Murillo’s stepfather, Rick Velasquez, played football after high school. As a fixture in his life for the last three years, Murillo wanted to use football as an opportunity to impress Velasquez.

Murillo wasn’t embarrassed to have his story told before the entire Costa Mesa football family. He owned up to his mistake, and he immediately started working to rectify it.

“I wasn’t ashamed,” Murillo said. “I took responsibility for everything. It was on me. It was my fault. I made a deal with Coach Fisher and committed to that deal.”

“I stayed on the whole season, gave my 110% for the coaches to prove that I wanted to play.”

The terms of the deal were steep. They were intended to teach Murillo the meaning of being a team player.

During the season, Murillo had to attend every practice, do everything that the active players did, and participate in all fundraising efforts.

In addition, he had to play on all three scout teams (offense, defense, and special teams) and show up to every game in his jersey to support his teammates, knowing full well that he would never step between the lines this fall.

“Most guys practice for Friday night,” Fisher said. “He practiced so that his teammates could be better on Friday night. That’s an incredible story of self-sacrifice and commitment to your teammates.”

Murillo described the descent to his lowest point. As his grades slipped, his mother became increasingly concerned with his performance in the classroom.

Privileges were rescinded, but none of them impacted him like missing out on football.

“The thing that hit me the most was not being able to play,” Murillo said. “Seeing my friends play. I would even get made fun of because I wasn’t allowed to play. It would hurt.”

It seems reasonable to make the assertion that in high school, a time during which the world around kids is ever-changing, the extracurricular activity is a most valuable asset.

Attachment to a hobby provides consistency to students’ lives, whether it be the arts or one of the many sports offered in school.

Without a doubt, the determination to keep football in his life was a key cog in Murillo’s path to learning self-responsibility.

He has rebounded. Murillo has perfect attendance this year, and Fisher says he is performing at around a 3.0-level academically.

At the banquet, Fisher surprised Murillo with the last part of the deal. The running back will get the first carry for the Mustangs next year.

“I couldn’t be happier,” Fisher said of the big reveal. “I mean it. He gets the first carry. I don’t care what we’re doing or where we’re at. He’s earned that.”