By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

The “Getting to Know” series is designed to help the community learn more about the coaches and administrators that are guiding today’s Portage County student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders.

Today, we get to know Aurora High School girls basketball head coach Erika Greenberg, who is in her 15th season leading the Greenmen girls basketball program.

Q: What schools did you attend growing up?

A: Waterville Elementary School, Anthony Wayne Junior High, Anthony Wayne High School (Class of 2000).

Q: What college did you attend? Play sports?

A: Baldwin Wallace University (Class of 2004). Played women’s basketball.

Q: What is your college degree?

A: Health and physical education.

Q: Current occupation?

A: Health and physical education teacher.

Q: What inspired you to be a coach?

A: I wanted to coach because of all the positive coaches I had throughout my career that helped me learn and grow.

Q: What makes being a coach at Aurora special to you?

A: Our players and families are amazing. We have so much community support and our girls are the nicest, hardest-working group of young ladies a coach could ask for.

Q: Who has been your biggest influence/mentor as a coach?

A: There are so many to talk about, but my biggest influence in coaching has been coach Cheri Harper from Baldwin Wallace. I played fo her during my time at BW, but also coached with her for a season. She taught me so much about the game, but more than anything, she taught me about the importance of relationships with players.

Q: Funny story nobody would believe from your playing days?

A: I got cut from basketball in seventh and eighth grade. When I tried out for the freshman team, I made the team (third time’s a charm). However, when I finally got into a game my freshman year, I shot at the wrong basket!

Q: Favorite TV show?

A: Coaches don’t have time to watch TV. Haha! I can’t say I have one.

Q: Favorite movie?

A: Not a huge movie person.

Q: Favorite musical artist?

A: I don’t really listen to music. My kids listen to Disney music.

Q: Favorite food or meal?

A: Pizza and ice cream.

Q: Favorite restaurant

A: Papous Bar and Grill in Aurora.

Q: Best vacation?

A: Family vacation to Disney and Universal Studios.

Q: Favorite motto or quote?

A: “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” — John Wooden

Q: What is your coaching philosophy?

A: It took me time to develop this philosophy, but I have come to realize that coaching at the high-school level is not really about winning and losing. It’s about developing young people to be the best that they can be. To be confident, resilient and hardworking young people.

Q: What does it mean to you to be a Greenmen student-athlete?

A: A Greenmen student-athlete is dedicated and discipline. They manage their time and put hard work in on and off the court, as well as meet the demanding expectations of coaches and teachers.

Q: Favorite teacher from high school?

A: Mr. Knapp.

Q: Favorite coach from your playing days?

A: Coach Harrer.

Q: Favorite sports team?

A: Cleveland Browns.

Q: Favorite athlete then?

A: Michael Jordan.

Q: Favorite athlete now?

A: Nick Chubb.

Q: First job as a teenager?

A: Cashier at Kohl’s.

Q: Coaching resume?

A: John Carroll University, women’s basketball graduate assistant (2005-07); Baldwin Wallace University, women’s basketball assistant coach (2007-08); Aurora High School girls basketball head coach (2008-present).

Q: Shoutoutto former teammates.

A: Natalie Winklefoos, Karissa (Kusick) Dominick, Lindsay Meek, Heather Eckstein, Kim Luthman.