Athletic Counseling for Fresno City College athletes has been a resource that many students utilize on a regular basis. The three athletic counselors on campus specifically aim to guide and counsel student athletes based on what they need.
Student athletes are able to gain specialized support from Brandon Wong, Tasha Johnson and Kelly Suhovy, the athletic counselors at FCC.
Brandon Wong, one of the athletic counselors, said that there are roughly 600 athletes on their roster, with 10 to 15 students popping in on a daily basis, and 50 to 60 students on a weekly basis.
“Just by the sheer amount of people that the other counselors are seeing, it’s harder for them to be relational in that way so I appreciate the athletic counselors for their effort,” Hudson Swaim, an FCC basketball player said. “They’re very intentional with everybody and make a strong effort to know people’s names and be very personable.”
Athletic counseling has allowed baseball player Joshua Barajas to focus more on his sport and time management with his classes.
“I think it’s helped me to be focused on school for sure,” Swaim said.
Counseling needs vary by student but Swaim said that counseling has been helpful for him in terms of attaining his degree, assisting in class registration and sports schedule.
Swaim received help with personal things as well.
“These athletic counselors here have been really supportive of me and my journey and are always super friendly and encouraging so it’s always great to always run past them,” Swaim said.
The counselors act as a support resource, assisting students with a variety of topics.
“Counseling has helped me be more focused in the classroom and kind of just know that I have someone to fall back on if I ever need help with anything, it’s always a good thing to have,” Barajas said.
Barajas said that he mainly talks with his counselor about his classes to make sure he is on track. He also said that they help him get through the year.
“Maybe if I have some hard classes, just helping me talk it out what I can do to get better in those classes or stay more focused,” Barajas said.
Wong said that athletes that stop by don’t always need something, and that people will just come in to say hi.
Swaim said he see the counselors at least once a week.
“It’s usually it’s more like 3-4 times a week,” Swaim said.
Barajas said he meets with them everyday.
Currently, Wong is the only full time athletic counselor alongside two part-time counselors. All 23 sports are divided up among the counselors.
According to Wong, FCC is aware of the need for more counselors.
“I just don’t know what that actual process of that looks like,” Wong said.
The athletic counselors have their office hours in G-100F from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and are also available for contact through email, zoom or office number.
“We take a very holistic view of counseling so whatever the student comes in with, we can try to help them out,” Wong said.
