Pros

In Something Other Than Sports

There are more than 480,000 NCAA student-athletes — and less than 1 percent go on to play professional sports. Many more move on to successful professional careers in other industries such as government, health care, education and public safety. In the NCAA, 86 percent of Division I student-athletes earn a degree. While Fresno State has many inspiring examples of successful alumni, here are just a few prime examples for young student-athletes to look up to.

Chantea (Fleming) McIntyre ’04, ’16

Job: Owner of McIntyre Model Management; Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Manager for Fresno Unified School District

Fresno State Degrees: Business Administration, Educational Leadership

Sport: Basketball

How did being a student-athlete prepare you for a successful career? Still, nothing has been harder than being a student-athlete. Nothing!
People ask me how I balance being a wife, a mom to four, a business owner and a full-time educator, and my answer is that I was once a student-athlete.

Kerri Donis ’91

Job: Fresno Fire Chief

Fresno State Degree: Physical Education

Sport: Softball

How did being a student-athlete prepare you for a successful career? Being a student-athlete provided a fantastic foundation of work ethic, discipline, organizational skills, teamwork and mental toughness one needs in the business world.

Best advice from a coach: Don’t you quit! (Coach Margie Wright)

Dr. Juan Bautista ’03

Job: Physician

Fresno State Degree: Health Science

Sport: Football

How did being a student-athlete prepare you for a successful career? Being a student-athlete helped to teach the importance of both physical and mental health. Handling failure is also important. During my career we lost games, I’ve been injured, etc. Learning to get up from defeat or adapt is a lesson that is constantly exemplified in sports.

Best advice from a coach: If you do everything you are supposed to do (go to class, practice, lift weights and eat well) you will just be average. It’s the extra things you do that will make you great. (J.D. Williams)

Deborah A. “Debbie” Poochigian ’74

Job: Fresno County Supervisor (retired)

Degree: Physical Education, elementary and secondary teaching credentials

Sport: Tennis

How did being a student-athlete prepare you for a successful career? Participating in athletics during college helped me focus on my career goals and gain confidence while developing appreciation for hard work, preparation, teamwork and competitiveness.

Best advice from a coach: Coach Elaine Mason emphasized hard work, consistency and setting lofty goals. I learned that success in the classroom can only be achieved with lots of preparation and attention to every detail — big or small.