2023 - Take Five With…Melanie Schaefer

Have you met Melanie? Melanie Schaefer is the Sports Information and Academic Support Specialist, a driving force behind ECC student-athlete success. In July 2021, the ECC Athletics Department added a new position to their team to provide direct academic support; this was the perfect fit for Schafer. If you’ve ventured down to Building J, you’ve probably seen our student-athletes gathered in her office, getting class advice, studying for a test, or just chatting about life. 

Growing up in Platteville, Wisconsin, Schaefer earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and master’s degree in athletic administration from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater. Her interest in working in sports communication blossomed at UWW, beginning as an Athletic Communications Student Assistant.

Read on and learn more about the many hats Schaefer wears in her role as a SID, the name of her beloved cat, and a few of her favorite podcasts.

What should our colleagues know about your position at ECC? I create, publish, and manage content on elginspartans.com and our social media channels (be sure to give @elginspartans a follow)! I run the live stream at every home game, taking statistics, capturing photos, and managing our student staff. I run the Athletes Committed to Excellence (ACE) program, where I monitor our student-athletes academics. Ultimately, my role is supporting and promoting our student-athletes on the court or field and in the classroom.

What was your first ever job? Lifeguard and Swim Lesson Instructor 

Cats, dogs, or house plants? Cats! I have a three-year-old black cat named Rocky.

What’s one thing that really makes your day? When students come to my office to study, ask me a question, or just hang out.

What’s on your playlist/podcast list? I often listen to My Favorite Murder or Crime Junkie during my 40-minute commute.