Boucher named new softball coach in Shawano

Nathan Boucher will be the new head softball coach at Shawano Community High School, pending formal approval by the Shawano School Board. He will replace Jude Wachtel who resigned from the position this fall. Boucher has demonstrated a commitment to coaching the youths of the Shawano community, coaching several youth programs and multiple SCHS teams, said Joel Wondra, high school activities director. Boucher has served on the Youth Softball board and coached in the youth softball program since 2015. He also coached youth baseball for eight years, including four years in which he served on the Youth Baseball board. At SCHS, Boucher coaches in the boys basketball program, recently taking over as the JV1 head coach this year after being the JV2 head coach for the previous five seasons. He has also been the boys JV1 soccer head coach since 2018. Boucher was the varsity soccer head coach at Gresham High School for 13 years and is familiar with the demands of running a varsity program. “I am excited and thrilled to be given the opportunity to be the head coach of Shawano softball,” Boucher said. “I am looking forward to being able to have a part in building success in the softball program and helping kids with the sport they love.” “I’m excited for coach Boucher to become the leader of the SCHS softball program,” Wondra said. “Coach Boucher brings a wealth of coaching experience to the position, and he has demonstrated a commitment to the education-based athletics model. We are excited for the team to continue to improve and for the program to provide a positive and meaningful experience for our athletes.” With the first day of practice fewer than four months away, Boucher will be busy preparing for the 2025 season. “My first task is to connect with players and families to share more about the direction I see our program going in the future,” Boucher said. In 2025, the Hawks are expected to return eight letterwinners and are looking to build upon last year’s 12-13 overall record and fifth-place finish in the Bay Conference.