Graduate Assistant Spotlight: Andrew Gong
1/19/2024 1:00:00 PM | General
Boise State Athletics is spotlighting the graduate assistants who work to help each department within athletics run smoothly while obtaining their master's degree. These features will tell the stories of graduate assistants while also giving information on what each department within Boise State Athletics does.
Andrew Gong is a second-year graduate assistant (GA) who works in the Sports Performance, Health & Wellness department within Boise Athletics as an athletic trainer, specifically for the men's and women's tennis teams.
Responsibilities of athletic trainers at Boise State include overseeing the health and wellness of teams and collaborating with performance staff on training programs to make sure the student-athletes are participating in activities that are within their limits, ensuring the student-athletes are healthy and able to participate, working with dieticians, physicians, and therapists on student-athletes' mental health and relaying necessary medical information to coaches about their student-athletes.
"I like to say the less work I have to do, the better it is for everyone as it means the student-athletes are healthy and able to give it their all," said Gong. "They (the student-athletes) keep me on my toes with their fun personalities. Many of the ones I work with are international, so it's always something new. It's not always smooth sailing as they sometimes bring me the weirdest injuries or illnesses, but it's always great to learn with them on getting healthy."
During the last two years, Gong has picked up extra responsibilities to continue growing his resume. He has helped organize the flu shot clinic Boise State Athletics puts on and has covered for any co-workers that need it. Gong has also helped fellow MAL student and second-year GA Levi Stuart with communicating on getting student-athletes any last-minute equipment they may need to assist Stuart, as well as scanning tickets and helping guest services on football game days when available.
Gong earned his B.S. in kinesiology, specifically athletic training, from Boise State in 2019. During his undergrad, Gong spent time working with various sports at Boise State. After graduating, he went on to work with the NBA G(atorade)-League Santa Cruz Warriors and was a part of the Golden State Warriors team that won a championship in 2022.
In spring 2022, Gong was contacted specifically for a full-time position as the athletic trainer of the men's and women's tennis teams. From there, Gong was plugged into the Master of Athletic Leadership (MAL) program so he could pursue the master's degree that was needed for the position.
"Simply put, AG is an ALL IN guy for our program, staff and student-athletes," said Boise State Women's Tennis Head Coach Beck Roghaar. "He's one of those rare people that is not only gifted and knowledgeable at his craft but truly passionate about it. He has fostered such great relationships with our team and created an environment in the training room that has been a huge key to the success of our program. He'll be the first to tell you that the best ability is availability, and he's done a phenomenal job in helping our players avoid injury, improve their performance, and be ready to go at all times."
The men's and women's tennis teams are both currently in season. The men's team will host Idaho State and Lewis-Clark state in Boise on Saturday at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m., respectively. The women's team will open the 2024 season hosting Idaho State at the Boas Indoor Tennis Center on Thursday, Jan. 25, at 5 p.m.
"Andrew has gone above and beyond for the health and wellness of the student-athletes for our men's and women's tennis programs," said his supervisor and associate athletic trainer, Amanda DiEnno. "He does a lot for both teams and continues to see how he can improve skills to better their rehab and maintenance programs. He is always willing to go the extra mile to help others."
Gong's love for tennis is what initially brought him back to the Treasure Valley, and while the future remains unclear, he hopes to work in professional tennis.
"Working at Boise State is great," said Gong. "The staff and environment is a dream to work in and when I talk to people in other programs, they become jealous of the special bond we have here as a department."
