Erik Brooks begins his first season as an Assistant Coach of the Alverno basketball program in 2026-27.
Brooks arrives at Alverno after serving as an assistant coach for the basketball program at nearby Mount Mary University for two seasons. There, Brooks had several duties, including but not limited to recruiting, managing the team's social media, leading and planning community and team-building activities, as well as bench and practice coaching. He also helped develop the Blue Angel Basketball Classic, a two-day holiday event, welcoming nine high school teams for six games over two days. He also assisted in one of the program's best two-year stretches (19 wins) and its best-ever start, when they began last season at 5-1.Â
Before coaching collegiately, Brooks was also the Girls Varsity Basketball Coach at Saint Anthony High School for three seasons. There, he helped the team set a school record for wins in a season as they also hosted a WIAA playoff game for the first time. Brooks was in charge of all aspects of the program and supported the college recruitment of his players, while also forging partnerships with local colleges, leading the efforts to create and launch the Lake City Showcase. Brooks has also been involved with club basketball locally, founding both the South Shore Crush and MKE PHX, affordable and accessible options for kids to build their basketball skills. He also serves as a youth basketball official.Â
Outside of basketball, Brooks owns and operates his own independent communications consultancy, Brooks Communications+Community. It operates with a focus on strategic storytelling -- starting with communications planning and then assisting in bringing those plans to life through writing and editing, digital and social platforms, video, meetings, media and government relations, and more. He has worked in various communications positions over his professional career, including as a Marketing Specialist for Skyline Catering and Bucyrus Club, as Regional Director in the Carl Collective with Trozzolo Communications Group, and as a Communications Manager for Miller Brewing Co. Brooks also served in local politics in the City of South Milwaukee for 12 years, including as the city's mayor from 2014 to 2021.
The Milwaukee native earned his Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Political Science from Marquette in 1997.Â
- Originally from Milwaukee.
- Resides in Milwaukee with his wife Sarah, and his children Christian and Shelby.
- Graduated from St. Thomas Mre High School in 1993
- Graduated from Marquette in 1997 with his Bachelor's in Journalism and Political Science
