Former Bee standouts return home as varsity head coaches

   Three former standout student-athletes from C.W. Baker High School are returning to their alma mater to lead Bees athletics during the 2026-2027 school year.
    The Baldwinsville Board of Education recently approved the appointments of Nate Bourdeau, Class of 2008, as the Boys Varsity Soccer head coach, Gene Lang, Class of 2003, as the Boys Varsity Wrestling head coach, and Cameron Brown, Class of 2009, as the Boys Varsity Volleyball head coach.
    Bourdeau takes over the soccer program following the retirement of legendary coach Tim Scheemaker, who concluded his remarkable career after the 2025 season. Scheemaker guided the Bees to 11 Section III championships and led the team to the New York State semifinal round in 2025.
    One of the most accomplished soccer players in Baker High School history, Bourdeau remains the school’s all-time leader in goals and assists. During his youth career, he was a six-year member of the Region I Olympic Development Program team and earned a spot on the U-18 U.S. National Team.
Bourdeau began his collegiate career at Boston College, where he was part of one of the nation’s top 15 recruiting classes according to ESPN, before transferring to Rutgers University. At Rutgers, he was a three-year starter, team captain, team MVP and an All-Big East selection while helping lead the Scarlet Knights to an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance.
    Following college, Bourdeau played professionally for several years with the Rochester Rhinos, Utica City/Utica Football Club and the Florida Tropics. He also brings head coaching experience, having led the Fayetteville-Manlius boys varsity soccer program for the past two seasons. Bourdeau is also the head coach of the Utica City Football Club.
    Lang also built an impressive athletic resume at Baker, excelling in both wrestling and football. As a junior in 2002, he placed 5th in the New York State (NYSPHSAA) Wrestling Championship at 152 pounds before continuing his football career as a linebacker at St. John Fisher College.
    Lang brings more than a decade of coaching experience to the varsity wrestling program. His coaching career includes stops as a volunteer assistant varsity wrestling coach at Fairport, head varsity wrestling coach at Onondaga Central, head junior varsity wrestling coach at Baldwinsville and assistant freshman football coach for the Bees. Most recently, he has remained actively involved with the Baldwinsville Youth Wrestling Club, helping develop the district’s next generation of wrestlers.
Wrestling excellence runs deep in the Lang family. Gene’s father, Dan Lang, wrestled for Baldwinsville from 1971 to 1975, winning three Section III championships before being inducted into the Section III Wrestling Hall of Fame for his outstanding contributions to the sport.
    Brown was one of the top volleyball players in the state during his time at Baker, earning First-Team All-League honors, being named to the Empire State Central Scholastic Team and competing at the 2009 Junior Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. He continued his volleyball career at SUNY New Paltz, where he was a standout player. Today, Brown serves as the ceramics teacher at C.W. Baker High School, making his return to the sidelines even more meaningful.
    With deep roots in the Baldwinsville community and a shared passion for the Bees, Bourdeau, Lang and Brown bring a wealth of experience, leadership and school pride to their new roles. The district is excited to welcome these accomplished alumni back as varsity head coaches and looks forward to seeing them inspire the next generation of student-athletes on the field, on the mat and on the court. 
    Go Bees!