John Calvarese was born and raised in Wayne, PA, a suburb of Philadelphia. He attended Radnor Junior High and Radnor High School, graduating in 1965. It was at Radnor Junior High where he was first introduced to wrestling by his science teacher, Mr. John Trama, who was his coach and mentor. After high school John attended Athens State University and graduated in 1970 with a BS Ed in Biology. He started his career the following August at Ed White Junior High, teaching Biology and coaching wrestling with Mr. Mike Thomas, who taught him a great deal about the sport. In 1974 John transferred to Butler High School to teach Biology and coach wrestling alongside his friend and mentor, Glynn Stowe, who taught him about working with young athletes and building a winning program. John was an assistant coach to Coach Stowe when Butler won State Championships in 1975 and 1977, after which, Coach Stowe retired and John was named Head Coach. One year later, in 1978, Butler won the Class 4A State Championship and in 1979-80 they were the State runner-up. The 1978-79 Championship team went undefeated the entire season, winning 14 duel meets, four tournaments, the Huntsville City Championship, and the Regional Championship. That team had two individual state champions, the Outstanding Wrestler in the State, two state 2nd place finishers, and John was voted Huntsville City Coach of the Year by his peers. During his career, John coached several individual State Champions and state place finishers, along with winning three consecutive Regional Championships. After leaving the coaching ranks, John officiated for several years and had the opportunity to officiate in one state tournament. He then worked for the AHSAA as the Director of Wrestling Officials for the Northern District for about five years. For the past 12 years, John has been volunteering with the Huntsville Sports Commission hosting the AHSAA State Tournament. John's teaching career includes 15 years as a classroom teacher and 19 years as a school administrator in Huntsville City Schools, as well as 12 years to-date as an administrator at St. John Paul II Catholic High in Huntsville, where he currently works. John and his wonderful wife, Jeannie, have two fabulous children, John (Shana) and Jennifer (Clint), and four fantastic grandchildren, Evan, Nathan, Ava, and Sophia.