Bruce Fairchild Barton once said “It is said that great leaders are born, not made.”

For Trent Madison, 21-year-old communications major and captain of the Moorpark College men’s soccer team, it’s a fact.

Madison has quickly become the natural leader for the men’s soccer team, leading them to the most success that they have seen in recent years.

Madison thinks being a vocal leader is in his nature, it’s something he was born with. Already surpassing the total amount of games won the previous year by the men’s soccer team, the Raiders’ talented team has flourished under Madison.

That aforementioned talented team is something Madison is excited about and quick to speak highly of, happy to share the responsibility when asked of the recent success this team has had.

“It’s a new team, and we got some good players,” Madison said. “Our assistant coach got some players from Canoga that are good players that I knew about. We all have respect for each other and we have a lot of skillful players…and I feel like we really shouldn’t have lost a game…for the most part we’ve been dominating most of the games.”

Madison explains that his teammates look to him for advice, asking him questions to improve their own games. He also runs some of the practices, which speaks volumes about his newfound leadership.

It was a smooth transition to becoming one of the leaders on this year’s team when Madison arrived in the fall, seamlessly falling into place once Madison decided to join the Raiders after leaving Cal State Fullerton where he spent two seasons before deciding to move back home from lack of playing time.

“I wasn’t getting any playing time, so I wanted to transfer out and try something new,” Madison explained. “The culture was great, I loved the coach, I loved the program…but I was just looking to play.”

Having gone to high school in Simi Valley, neighboring Moorpark College was the perfect chance for Madison to return close to home while receiving an abundance of playing time to showcase his talents.

“Obviously school comes first, with my grades” said Madison. “You can’t go wrong with a degree and a college education.”

It’s simple to see that Madison has a good head on his shoulders. He comes from a good place, and cites his parents and grandparents as being major role models and influences on him growing up.

“My grandparents are big time soccer fans,” Madison said. “That’s how I pretty much fell in love with the game.”

Madison’s love for the game is evident in every game that the Raiders play. He leaves it all on the field and plays with his heart until the final minute.

His teammates and coaches wouldn’t have it any other way, as you can’t respect a leader if he doesn’t give it his all.

Head Coach Sean Roche explains that having Madison on this year’s team has been a blessing, and that his leadership role expands to the classroom as well.

“He is a good role model as a student athlete and as a competitor,” Roche said. “We are lucky to have him.”

Even though he is planning on transferring after this season, his focus is still on the here and now with this Raiders team.

“I just want to make [the] playoffs, I think we will…I feel confident,” Madison said. “We’re all thriving to go somewhere, we’re all trying to win and we have the capability to do it. I just want to win a title.”

As Madison continues to thrive on the field, he takes life off of the field a little less seriously- in a good way. He describes his everyday as just enjoying life and spending quality time with friends.

Madison hopes to continue his success with the team and use this as a platform to eventually transfer as a Communications major to a four-year university.

“Obviously school comes first, with my grades” said Madison. “You can’t go wrong with a degree and a college education.”

But as soon as he steps on that field he lets us know that it’s all business.

“I live soccer man,” Madison said. “I just live soccer.”