DII women’s golfer Maddie Fleck building a future through NIL opportunities

For Maddie Fleck, a freshman golfer at Ashland, content creation isn't just a hobby — it's a platform for impact and a pathway to her dream career. 

With over 16,000 TikTok followers and a growing Instagram presence, Fleck has leveraged her talent and determination to thrive as a student-athlete and creator. Her selection to the NCAA x Meta NIL Empower Program this fall is a testament to her ability to balance these roles while preparing for a future in professional sports media.

"My dream job is to work for a pro sports team as a social media specialist and be able to run or work with their social media accounts," Fleck said. "I feel like, long term, this program is going to be extremely beneficial, just learning these skills early on. Not only is it going to help me now and through my college years, but beyond that, too."

Fleck's content creation journey began in high school, where playful golf-related TikToks turned into viral successes. However, her participation in the NIL Empower Program marked a turning point, helping her refine her approach and capitalize on her creativity.

"This program has really helped me learn how to leverage my social media to be able to work with more brands," she said. "Before this, I didn't really know exactly where to start, but learning more throughout this program, it's really helped me to connect with more companies and more NIL opportunities."

Fleck's social media presence is an extension of her personality: authentic, relatable and inspiring. With videos that range from lighthearted golf memes to instructional content, she's built a loyal audience while staying true to herself.

"I try to keep my content super real," she said. "I try to just be myself."

One of her standout creations is her series "Fairways on Fridays," where she shares weekly golf videos. These posts not only strengthen her connection with her audience but also showcase her storytelling skills, which she hopes to translate into a professional sports media career. Her creative work has a deeper purpose, too.

"I also want to be a kind of advocate for younger female golfers who are playing the sport," she said. 

As a Division II golfer, Fleck emphasizes that personal branding and authenticity transcend divisions. 

"I think at the end of the day, it's not about what sport you play, not about what division you play in," she said. "It's about your personal brand and just being who you are and displaying that through your presence on social media."

Fleck's selection as one of 50 women in the NCAA x Meta NIL Empower Program's fall cohort has been pivotal in her development as a creator. Designed to help female student-athletes navigate NIL opportunities, the program focuses on branding, monetization and content strategy.

"Since the first time we met as a group, I've learned so much," she said. "It's helped in navigating my way through NIL, how to reach out to companies or brands and just learning about the basics, but at a more in-depth level, like when to post, how to really get your engagement up."

These lessons have translated directly into measurable success. Since joining the program, Fleck's Instagram following has grown by 18%, a reflection of her improved strategies for timing, engagement and audience connection.

"One of the most beneficial things I've learned is to really dive deep into the analytics of my posts," she said. "Before, I was posting kind of mid-to-late afternoon, and I learned that a lot of my followers and when my engagement is the highest is actually early in the morning."

The program also introduced her to mentors like Christine Wang, a former collegiate golfer at Southern California who is now playing professionally. 

"It was so nice to talk with her because we play the same sport, and there's really not a ton of female golfers who have a presence on social media," Fleck said. "It was really nice to talk with her and kind of share experiences."

Through her work with the NIL Empower Program and her growing social media presence, Fleck has already secured a growing number of partnerships, including deals with VKTRY, a shoe insole brand, and Bad Birdie, a golf apparel brand.

Juggling academics, athletics and content creation is no small feat. Not to mention, she also works as a photographer for Ashland. Still, Fleck thrives on the challenge.

"It definitely is a lot, but I just keep in the back of my mind, this is what I've worked so hard for the last few years and it's all paying off," she shared. "And yes, it can be stressful at times, but it's my passions all put together in one. And I'm enjoying it along the way."

Fleck's journey underscores the accessibility of NIL opportunities for athletes of all levels. As a Division II golfer, she hopes her story inspires others to pursue their goals with authenticity and determination.

"I think that I am super blessed to be in this program as a freshman because this is just the beginning for me," she said. "If one person can take away something from my videos and it helps them, then I know I'm doing my job."

To apply for the program, click here.