WINONA, Minn. – In middle school Eric Birth dreamed of being a physical education teacher. Dream realized: Birth, a 2013 Winona High School grad, is in his first year back at his alma mater coaching the next generation of Winhawks. Actually he’s done it before but only part-time. Now a full-fledged teacher, he’s working alongside the same people who inspired him into coaching. Fellow faculty member Tim Gleason, who used to coach Birth in track and field, said Birth’s Winhawk roots make him a natural “to make a huge difference in the lives of many.” John Cassellius, who coached Birth in football, said Birth has a charismatic personality that encourages students. Both Cassellius and Gleason followed Birth’s college football career at Winona State University. Now he’s back coaching eighth-grade football and in the spring will coach track and field.
Return to Herkyland. Birth teaching and also coaching football, track and field. Image: John Casper