Advertising on Ice: How One Spartan Balances Sports and Social Media
Ad management student, Erin Schlie, shares how she juggles being on the D1 women’s hockey team with academics
By: Ellie Henry
For Michigan State University senior, Erin Schlie, life is a balancing act between academics, athletics and advertising. As an advertising management major and a member of the MSU women’s hockey team, Schlie also serves as the team’s Instagram manager. These experiences allow her to combine her love for sports with her passion for social media and branding.
Schlie has been playing hockey for over a decade.
“When I toured Michigan State, I just knew it was where I was supposed to be,” she said. “The coach wanted me on the team, and it just felt right.”
Balancing hockey and academics can be a challenge. However, Schlie has mastered her schedule. Practices are generally scheduled in the evenings, giving Schlie daytime for classes in homework. Traveling on the weekends for tournaments can present challenges. However, Schlie does not let that slow her down.
In addition to her dedication on the ice, what sets Schlie apart is her passion for social media marketing. As the manager of the teams Instagram account, she designs graphics for games, fundraising events and player achievements.
Schlie credits advertising management classes with giving her the skills to boost engagement and target the right audience.
“Taking classes focused on social media has definitely helped me understand how to target people and create engaging content,” she said. “Our following and interactions have improved a lot because of it.”
Schlie says she envisions herself working in social media management for a professional hockey team. Her goal is to blend knowledge of advertising with love for the sport. Simultaneously, she recognizes the challenges that women’s hockey faces compared to men’s. The men’s team often receives more recognition and the women’s team must push harder for visibility. This also could be because the men’s hockey team gets funding for their away trips and such while the women’s team is left to fundraise for themselves.
“If I could create an advertising campaign for women’s hockey at MSU, I’d start by making sure people even know we have a team,” Schlie said. “There’s just such a lack of recognition, and word-of-mouth can go a long way.”
Schlie’s story is a reminder of how passion and perseverance can make an impact both on and off the ice. As the MSU women’s hockey team continues to grow, supporting their journey can help bridge the gap between men’s and women’s sports. Follow their Instagram, attend a game, and shoe your Spartan pride, because these women deserve to be seen and celebrated.