With a philosophy of “lots of people know more than me about wrestling, but none can out work me”, Sanders stayed true to his word and became one of the most successful coaches in Garden State history.

He created the program at Eastern Regional High School from scratch in 1965 and built the Vikings into a perennial powerhouse before he retired in 2002.

Along the way, he led Eastern to a 423-210-6 record with seven Olympic Conference titles, six district team titles and two South Jersey crowns in 1983-85. He led the Vikings to 24 straight winning seasons.

Sanders coached four state champions – Micah Khan (twice), Kevin Rucci and Clinton Hicks – along with 15 state finalists, 27 regional champs, 91 district titlists and three high school All-Americans.

A three-time district Coach of the Year, Sanders was honored as the Region 7 Coach of the Year in 1998.

He’s also a certified FILA official for freestyle and Greco-Rowan wrestling. He officiated at the junior high school nationals, World Games and Olympic Trials.

Sanders got a late start in the sport as he wasn’t introduced to wrestling until he was a student at Millersville University. He was awards two varsity letters before graduating in 1962.

Coaching remains in his blood as Sanders continues to instruct as a volunteer coach with stops at Haddon Township, Lenape, Eastern, Gloucester City, Lindenwold and Palmyra.

Sanders was inducted into the South Jersey Wrestling Coaches and Officials Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Eastern gymnasium named in his honor in 2016.

He and his wife Grace live in Mt. Laurel, N.J. They have three children – John Jr., Susan and Mark.