Erik was three-sport athlete for Stoughton High School during the late 70’s. Erik excelled in baseball as an all-conference catcher for the Vikings. He began his MATC athletic career in the spring of 1981 as a first baseman and catcher for the MATC Baseball team.
In 1981, his first season, Erik batted .296 in 33 at-bats. As natural leader, he was selected as honorary team captain for the 1982 season. During his second season, Erik made great improvements, excelling offensively by leading the team in RBIs and homeruns. He recorded twice as many homeruns as his entire team combined while also hitting a solid .328. He was an obvious selection for MATC offensive player-of-the-year honors and also received the team’s most valuable player award. In addition to those team honors, Erik was named to the all-conference and all-state teams. Erik graduated from MATC in 1983 with a degree in Police Science.
“He was a definite joy to coach. He always gave 100% and was looked up to by all his teammates,” said former baseball coach, Fred Williams. “Since finishing his career at MATC he has really been a credit to his family, school, and community.”
After a successful MATC on-the-field athletic career, Erik became a detective for the City of Stoughton where he has worked for the last eighteen years. In the community, Erik has coached at least one or two youth teams every year for the past ten years. In 2001, he assisted in forming and organizing Stoughton’s Little League while continuing to be involved with many coaching clinics and baseball camps. Erik currently lives in Stoughton with his wife Barb and their three children; daughters, Rebecca and Bethany, and son Max.
“Erik was a great team player at MATC. He was always “Mr. Clutch” because when we needed runs he always delivered,” said MATC assistant baseball coach and coordinator, Lyle Hanson. “I am really glad he continues his love of the game by being involved with baseball in his community. It is great for a community like Stoughton to have someone like Erik teaching younger kids the keys to success.”
