Maddie Fleck is very busy these days.
The Ashland University freshman women's golfer is in her first semester as a collegiate student-athlete. She also is working for the AU Athletic Communications office.
And on the side, Fleck has quite a social media presence. And earlier this week, she was named one of 50 NCAA x Meta NIL Empower 2024 fall cohorts.
"It feels amazing, knowing that I'm able to compete at the next level, and use my experience and help inspire and be a role model to younger athletes," Fleck said, "and be able to grow my platforms to grow my brand, and attending Ashland University at the same time."
The program is designed to help those selected learn how Meta and its community can help them grow their audience, build brand partnerships, maintain connections that will last long past their playing careers, and put money in their pockets during and after college.
In addition, the program consists of three sessions over a three-month period, with topics including:
- Branding & Social Strategy
- Reels & Threads 101
- Do's & Don't of Branded Content
- Understanding Monetization
- Creating with Purpose
- Financial Literacy
Fleck is on Instagram (3,400 followers) and on TikTok (16,000 followers) at @maddiefleckgolf.
"I've been making videos as long as I can remember," she said, "stealing my mom's phone, making a funny video. My junior year of high school, during golf season, my friend said, 'Hey, let's make a TikTok before our match.' So we made a quick TikTok, and the next thing I knew, after a few golf-related ones, the likes and followers started going up.
"So then, I started taking it more seriously, and just posting, going anywhere from dances on the golf course, fun little meme videos and then tips and tricks for the golf course. It's been very rewarding, knowing I can reach a lot of people and help people."
Fleck played in her first collegiate tournament on Monday and Tuesday (Sept. 9-10) at the University of Charleston Invitational.
"It definitely is a challenge," she said of balancing being a student-athlete and having a large social media presence, "but I just kind of incorporate it into my day. So I will go to practice a few minutes early, film a quick video, and then typically at night, I will edit the videos and get ready to post them for the next day or the next few days in advance.
"Definitely, since I started school, it's been a little more stressful, but I'm learning how to manage it a lot better. And with this program, knowing that I'll be able to better manage it, while being a student-athlete and grow my platforms, is really amazing."
Fleck has joined the creative part of the AU Athletic Communications team, working with media days and shooting during home sporting events.
"I love it so far," she said. "I've only done a few games, but just being able to be right there on the sideline, courtside, being able to just capture the moments that my fellow student-athletes are having…is just amazing, and I love doing it."
Fleck said her Christian faith has guided her along this journey – in all aspects. She was one of an estimated 350-400 people, mostly student-athletes, who were at the AU Fellowship of Christian Athletes service in Redwood Hall on Tuesday (Sept. 10) night.
"My faith means a lot to me personally," she said, "and especially out on the course. It's really guided me to get to where I am today. It's really amazing going to an event like that, where it's a room full of student-athletes together. Just that we all share our faith there, and worship.
"It's amazing that our faith can bring us all close together, while being a student-athlete and growing our faith together."
