Breaking the Ice: How Lilah Sweillam Balances College Sports and Media

Interview by Emily Kulyk | Nov. 4th, 2025

The cold air of an ice rink is a familiar feeling to Lilah Sweillam. She’s not on the ice to play. She’s likely behind a camera, maybe on a headset, afterward recording interviews for her podcast, in the very arena where the pro arc begins for most of her interviewees. The all-encompassing energy of sports is something many can relate to. It certainly drew Sweillam in. What started as helping out on her high school hockey team has evolved into something much larger. That is a growing career in sports media built on connection, natural curiosity and a touch of courage. With those glimpses of a future being laid out before her, it was a path she began walking down. 

Sweillam grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut, where sports became prevalent early on in her life. She learned lessons that can be discovered when one immerses oneself in the world of sports. Success was found in both gymnastics and lacrosse. She would spend time coaching young children to improve their skills. Her talent was being used to help the next generation of players. 

It remained close to home and she would work with the team she had played for. Coaching young children comes with its own set of challenges to navigate. Breaking down drills while keeping the game fun had been one of those challenges. Coaching the same team she once played for taught her patience and leadership showed her how much she appreciated helping others grow. It was another notch in her belt as she paved her path working in sports.

As time went on, Sweillam realized what commitment meant. There was a newfound appreciation for sports and all that goes into it. Keeping those ideas in mind continued to help shape how she would look at athletes and what dedication looks like. “Time is the most valuable thing a person has, and in sports, it’s easy to see how quickly that can run out, which is why I’ve always had empathy for people who dedicate their lives to it,” she says. 

She mentioned the ideas around never giving up and not being afraid to try to her parents. “They instilled in me to never have fear of being told no, and to never fear that something is too much of a reach for you to do,” she said. Having that in mind continued to help Sweillam strive for more. The part of not fearing anything would come in handy when she’d come up with the next idea to test out. “They’re the first people to know kind of take it on with me, and be like ‘OK, what are we going to do now?’” she mentions. A foundation was set and taking on the next idea would happen in high school.

Sweillam did not have to look far for the next opportunity. Inside the chilly walls of an ice rink is where luck and a chance would be found. The high school varsity hockey team would be the next challenge she would take on. The functions were basic. The role included keeping track of time and reviewing a stat sheet. But with that, she found a sense of connection, perhaps a level she never tapped into prior. Interacting with the team and creating friendships was where Sweillam saw the possibilities begin to open. 

The rush that she’d feel of being part of a team was when she realized she wanted to stay in this world. “I’d be like, ‘Oh my gosh, today is such a great day.’ It’s game day and I wasn’t even the one playing. I was like, ‘Alright, it’s a little too much, let’s chill a little bit. You’re not the actual one playing,’” she says. The team won two championships during her time there. But it’s the palpable and buzzing excitement that pushes the next idea to the front. 

The desire to be involved and included in this popular community fostered passion, excitement and connection for her. A standout moment she reflects on is being on the ice, getting to celebrate with the team. The rush of excitement confirmed this is it for Sweillam; she knew this was something she loved. 

It doesn’t get much bigger than the University of Michigan’s athletic department. With the idea of wanting more, Sweillam took on something larger than her high school hockey team. The idea of how she got there was seemingly simple. A typical, right place, right time situation. The examples showing that Sweillam was meant to be working in sports were adding up. Eating with her parents on Accepted Students Day led to the girl working at the pizza restaurant, giving her the information to get involved with several clubs in the athletic department.

She took that information and created a spot for herself. Sweillam found herself in an ice rink. One that was much bigger and held national attention when compared to the high school team she worked with. She had her role with the hockey team early on. Starting college would also mean Sweillam would have her first chance working with an NCAA hockey team. Some new responsibilities and outlooks would need to be taken on. 

Instead of stat sheets and being a timekeeper, she ran large social media platforms. Going behind the scenes was an exciting element Sweillam wanted to share with everyone. Giving everyone the chance to see what she got to see. Maybe it was a pregame warm-up among players, a moment post-game or a storyline she would have the pieces to. Bridging Sweillam and social media gives fans a better chance at seeing those moments. 

While hockey may have been the main focus for her, learning how other sports ran helped to round out the experience. “Standing on the field at the Big House surrounded by fans and seeing the energy in the stadium made me realize how much I love being part of this industry,” she mentions. The previous feelings of excitement, connection, and now seeing the storytelling aspect unfold had been special for Sweillam. 

College brought on another moment Sweillam didn’t expect. She noticed how often vulnerability gets overlooked in sports, so she created a space where her guests could share the sides of themselves that fans and followers may not see. Her own podcast, Ice Breakers, launched late in 2024. There was a gap she intended to close. She wanted to change that idea by creating a connection and humanization. Fans may not think of those ideas. But with the right storylines, it would become a common theme.

The podcast centers around bringing on guests who allow the collapse between a fan or listener and the personality or athlete Sweillam would speak to. The focus is primarily on the human and how to bring that forward. This is a topic that would get lost, and was a gap she noticed. Many fans enjoy and appreciate seeing their favorite players or personalities in a new light. There is now a seat at a table where that could be done. 

Her first episode features a guest whom Sweillam didn’t have to look far. It’s the captain of the University of Michigan hockey team, Jacob Truscott. The connection she built by working with the team created an avenue to explore on the podcast. After the first episode, like her other moments in sports, she felt like there had been something there, something more to explore. “And from there, I kind of just took it and ran with it and saw whoever I could get, I was open to. And you know, I impressed myself. I accomplished a lot in a very short amount of time,” Sweillam said. The guest list had ranged from Olympic athletes to familiar faces within the NFL.

Her natural ability to create connections and read social cues helps with the interviewing portion. There is a layer of empathy that can’t be taught, and Sweillam displays that throughout. This plays into the idea of being vulnerable while telling a story that may help others do the same. The positive feedback she received fueled her to do more.

The next role she signed onto would be none other than Barstool Sports. A name many know, even if they may not know how they know it. Working with Barstool gave Sweillam another inside perspective she had been looking for. Similar to the ones she had gotten when working with the hockey team. Barstool employees gave her a taste of bringing someone in, allowing them to shine. She mentions they answer the questions she presents and encourages trying out new ideas. 

A little bit of creative freedom granted by one of the largest sports media companies had been something special for Sweillam. There was a new level of feeling seen, heard and excited.

Being vulnerable and building connections is kind of like the foundation of not only her podcast, but who she is as a person. There is an understanding of what the topics mean and how they play a role in the lives of who Sweillam speaks to. She allows herself to be in a place of vulnerability first before connecting with interviewees. 

In the grand scheme of it all, it’s not a big moment. It’s enough to break the ice, so to speak. Having that moment is brave, and doing it first may be even braver. “I think it’s just my ability to talk,” she said about first creating a connection. “I’ve been this way my whole life. I’m not afraid to be the vulnerable one first to that person,” she continued. It may just be talking, but a conversation is being built on much more than that.

The roles she has taken on will help to fuel future projects. It makes sense that she would return to offer insight to a place where a portion of her career began, her high school. She continues to advise and help support the interests of students where she once was. She credits the mentors she has worked with. Having this role also supports the idea of building connection, which is a foundational piece of what she represents. 

Sweillam has many exciting things planned for the future. She’s not done growing in the sports media space. She’s also open to seeing what else is out there. Noting she finds the business side interesting. Sweillam set the stage for many individuals to tell their story. She is getting the chance to have hers told through all of her hard work. 

With a little bit more time at Michigan, there is time to continue working on what’s next for her. Younger her wouldn’t have expected this.“I think younger me would be really proud. I think she would be really surprised we’re in sports,” she said. 

One would assume this was the plan all along, but the unexpected worked out even better. Whether she’s interviewing athletes or helping to tell a story, she keeps finding new points to touch on, and ideas to build on. Some may say she’s finding new ways to break the ice.