Former Blackburn College Men's and Women's Head Coach and legend Gene Baker passed away on Saturday, August 26. Baker is the winningest coach in both Blackburn College men's and women's soccer history. Baker, called "Bake" or "Coach Bake" was beloved by former players and coaches at Blackburn where he touched the lives of many during his seven years at Blackburn. Baker was named the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Coach of the Year in 2003 and the SLIAC Women's Coach of the Year in 2001.
Baker came to Blackburn from Granite City High School where his accomplishments are more than impressive. To begin with, Baker is the all-time winningest coach in Illinois High School Boys Soccer history. During his time at Granite City South High School then becoming Granite City High School, his teams won nine state championships which is the most for any program in the state of Illinois. It includes a run of five-straight state titles from 1976-1980 and what makes it even more impressive is that Illinois had a one-class playoff system during those years. Baker was twice named National High School Coach of the Year in 1983 and 1988. A member of the Blackburn College Athletics Hall of Fame and five other hall of fame's, Baker also had the soccer field at Granite City High School named after him.
Former Blackburn Athletic Director Joe Ramsey who was instrumental in getting Baker to come to Blackburn said, "Gene Baker was "Special!" He was legendary when it came to coaching soccer. His record at Granite City still stands as the best in state history and likely will continue to stand into the unforeseen future. We were fortunate to hire Gene to coach at Blackburn College. I knew we were getting a one of a kind soccer coach, but I soon realized we had hired a one of a kind human being as well. We were fortunate to have had our time together with Gene. Rest in Peace my friend."
As a player, Baker was a member of the St. Louis University 1965 National Championship Team. While at Blackburn, Baker coached 23 men's all-conference players and 17 women's all-conference players.
Current Men's Soccer Coach Josh Oswald, who was recruited to Blackburn by Coach Baker paid this tribute. "The words legend and icon are only used to be attached to very few individuals and yet Coach Baker was both. He was a true friend to so many and touched the lives of countless people whether in the classroom or on the pitch. Coach was a great story-teller and always had a way of making everyone around him feel special. He's the most genuine, caring, and respectable person i've come across paths within my lifetime and certainly has helped mold and shape me into who I am today. Coach we love you! You cannot be replaced and you're going to be sorely missed!"
Former women's soccer coach Tim Gould who played for Baker at Blackburn, and is now the Athletic Director at Waterloo High School had this to say. "Coach positively impacted the lives of countless men and women who knew him as their teacher, coach, or friend. Like countless others who played for him, Coach’s encouragement and instruction made me a better player, coach, and person. His knowledge of the game, careful preparation, clear communication, and positive relationships with his players and families yielded unmatched success in the soccer world. He always praised the players and their families which made his teams successful. The feeling of admiration was mutual as many former players visited Coach on a regular basis years after playing for him. I always looked forward to visiting coach and am grateful I was able to visit him with former BC teammates a few weeks ago. As always he was happy to hear about our families and changes in our lives as we’ve grown older. Coach was proud of us and forever an optimist looking forward to what lies ahead for each of us while still giving us new ideas and offering support. We were fortunate to have him as our coach, but we were blessed to have him as a friend.
Former men's coach and Athletic Director Rob Steinkuehler, who also played for Baker at Blackburn, and is now the Athletic Director at Jersey Community High School, paid tribute to Baker as well. "We lost one of the best who was ever called "Coach". I was fortunate enough to play for Coach Baker for one year at Blackburn and was blessed to stay in contact with him as I transitioned from player to coach. I thought I knew the game of soccer as a player, until I had the honor of playing for the most intelligent man I've ever been around. Not only was his knowledge of the game superior, but his ability to translate our efforts on the pitch to life was uncanny. He was an incredible story teller and had a gift of making you feel special. He helped shape me as a coach and a father. His accomplishments speak for themselves and they are a testament to his ability as a coach and mentor. Even though he's no longer here, his teachings will continue for years to come as many of his former players are coaches themselves. I will miss Coach Baker dearly."