John was a 3-year starter at Solanco High School. He was the team captain in his senior year of 1974, and earned the District 3 and Regional title. That season he received the Carlton Schindler award, signifying him as the team MVP.

John then attended West Chester State College for a year before transferring to Millersville State for his final three years. We wrestled at 126 and 134 lbs. for the Marauders and became a 2-time Division 3 All-American before graduating in 1978.

In 1982, John was named as the Head Coach at his alma mater, Solanco High School. For 36 years he put together an outstanding career record of 328-170-1, until he retired in 2018. His teams won 14 Lancaster-Lebanon Section Titles & 8 Lancaster-Lebanon League Tournament Championships. The Mules won the District 3 Team Title 2 times, and were Runners-Up twice.

Individually, John coached 44 Lancaster-Lebanon League champs, 18 District 3 champs, 53 PIAA State Qualifiers, 29 State Medalist's, including: 4-time State Champion Thomas Haines, State Champion Dan Neff, and State Runners-up Connor Sheehan and Shawn "Bo" Spiller. John’s teams finished in the Top Ten at States 6 times. He coached 2 NCAA Division I All Americans, the most recent being Ronnie Perry, who was the National Runner-up in 2018 at Lock Haven University.

John exemplified a hard working coach and a spirited leader of his student athletes. He was well respected in his community.  He had been described as “a great ambassador for the sport…a teacher and a coach…always requiring respect with high expectations.”   John forged strong relationships with parents at all levels of the program, and led the formation of the Solanco Wrestling Association.

John and his wife, Tracey live in Lampeter Square and have 2 children, Adam and Heather.