Brookfield East Class of 2001
2016 Gymnastics Coach of the Year, Erin Kokta, is a 2001 BEHS alum that has given back to the school district that she grew up in and taken the community by storm in the process!
Brookfield East Class of 2001
Erin Kokta is a 2001 BEHS alum that has given back to the school district that she grew up in and taken the community by storm in the process!
The oldest of three sisters, Erin's leadership skills began to naturally foster at an early age. Her Elmbrook journey took her from Dixon Elementary to Elmbrook Middle School to Brookfield East. During her time at East, she was involved in gymnastics, track, choir, yearbook, and student council. "I love all the effort that is put into the Elmbrook district and how much everyone really cares about the students," said Kokta. "Everyone works so hard across the district to not only create excellence but also ensure the celebration of that excellence and student achievements."
Erin's utmost appreciation reaches to Mr. Corey Golla, her middle school social studies teacher and later high school track coach. "Because of him I continued to compete as a student athlete at the college level and following graduation, I had the honor to come back and coach for him when he was the Athletic Director at BEHS," reflected Erin. "He was a huge reason for my successes. The lessons that he helped to instill in me have gotten me to this point in coaching."
Kokta graduated from East in 2001 and went on to attend the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. During this time, she became a three-time NCAA Track & Field All-American in Long Jump and Triple Jump and still holds the long jump indoor school record for the school. Erin also coached both the university's men and women jump teams for a year. Today she works as a graphic designer for the promotional marketing company, Piranha Promotions, and has worked for an active sports event management company, PrimeTime Timing, as a senior event manager and graphic designer since the company's inception. In 2006, she received a Bachelor's degree from the university in Mass Communication with an Advertising emphasis and a minor in Computer Arts and Design for Business.
Kokta has coached for Elmbrook for the Brookfield Central / East co-op gymnastics team and the Brookfield East girls track team for the past 10 years, leading her athletes to numerous state and division accolades. And for the past five years, she has been the gymnastics head coach. "In addition to my love for the sports, it's incredible to be able to watch the kids grow as athletes and as people and it is so rewarding to be a part of every goal they achieve," says Erin. "I want to have the same positive impact on my athletes and have them learn the same lessons that I learned from my coaches and teammates while at Elmbrook."
In 2016, Erin received the Elmbrook Engaged in Excellence Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Coaching and was also named Gymnastics Coach of the Year by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel! "That was the best apple that I've ever had," noted Kokta.
Throughout September and October, the district will be featuring alumni stories of individuals who have given back to the district with their service and commitment.
For more alumni stories, district updates, and to connect with fellow alumni, follow Elmbrook Schools on LinkedIn. To recommend an alum for our series, please click here.
