“John Jay wrestling is like no other program I have ever been a part of. We have a saying… ‘Nobody has ever drowned in sweat’. The coaching staff makes sure we are prepared to compete through constant drilling, hard work and lots of sweat. Every wrestler uses this formula year-round so we are all striving towards one common goal…success.”

– Doug Carpenter ’03, Cortlandt University

“Thanks to my years wrestling at John Jay, not only have I become a better athlete, I’ve become a better person. Let’s just say, it’s been life changing, from the character lessons and mental training to lifelong friends and incredible memories. I’ve learned more than I ever could have hoped.”

– Craig Holm-Joergensen ‘25, Cornell University

…

“Wrestling has helped me with my self-discipline. When I compete in other sports, I sometimes would catch myself drifting and losing focus. You simply cannot get away with that in our room. Wrestling makes you really work hard … knowing the effort behind the scenes, will pay dividends when the arena is packed with fans and the spotlight is on. I loved that I was accountable and that I determined my own success.”

– Juan Sanchez ’03, John Hopkins University

“I never paid much attention to setting goals before. I’ve learned there’s always something I can be doing better. Whether its weight training, pinning opponents or post-season awards, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of setting a goal, developing a plan to accomplish it and then busting my hump to do it. It has even spilled over into my schoolwork and grades. Wrestling has taught me the way and and improved my life.”

– Chris Costello ’06, Cornell University

“Awesome Program…John Jay wrestling has come a long way in a short time. To get to where we are today has meant a lot of sacrifice. Was it worth it? You bet…it’s been the best thing I’ve ever been a part of … no question.”

– Billy Watterson ‘10, Brown University

“Wrestling has helped me in so many ways. To my parents (and my) surprise, my grades improved once I learned how important it was to budget my time. There’s still some room to improve, but it was a great accomplishment for me. There’s a lot going on during the season and time is limited, so it was important for me to prioritize and hit the books hard when I scheduled study time every day.”

-Brian Kershner ‘15, Bucknell University

“When I first joined the wrestling team in the 8th grade I didn’t think much of it, just a way to stay in shape for my other sports. By the end of high school it was my primary focus athletically and helped me in all parts of my life. I was more confident, worked harder, and expected more of myself in everything I did. Joining this program makes you apart of a winning tradition and gives you the skills to succeed beyond the mat. Wrestling was one of the best decisions I ever made.”

– Ryan Osleeb ’11, Harvard University

“I played three sports all through High School and there is no question that Wrestling was the major reason I achieved success in the other two sports. Physically, I couldn’t possibly have pushed myself to the limit the way our Coaching staff did. The Strength, Speed, Balance and Agility gains were awesome. More impressive, was the mental toughness I achieved. To go out on the mat by yourself in a one-on-one combat and have your hand raised is the greatest feeling in the world.”

– Mark Swertfager ’11, Marist College

“My son is finishing his first year of the modified wrestling program (7th grade). I was incredibly impressed by the first meeting with the parents and inspired by your positive attitude and commitment of turning young boys into fine young men. His experience with the John Jay Wrestling Program and especially his coaches Tom , Phil, and Joe has blown through any expectations we had. His love of the sport and your program’s positive impact on him has humbled both of us. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to excellence! We look forward to the years to come.”

“Dear Coach Just a note to tell you how touched I am by the effort of our students and coaches with Pin for a Cure. You guys set the bar very high for the rest of our athletes! Thanks, as always, for all you do on behalf of our students. See you at Caramoor!”

“Just wanted to say thanks for all you do for our son and, for that matter, for all the kids. I attribute much of his self-confidence off the mat to what he learns on the mat.”

“Hi Coach Wanted to congratulate you and the entire coaching staff and program for yet another amazing win. It certainly doesn’t get old. Watching our son fight off a pin for six minutes is truly inspiring. Once you know even as little as I do about the sport, it was easy to see how hard and how much heart each and every one of these kids have. You know how wonderful I think wrestling is and how grateful I am to you and what you’ve meant to my boys, but it never hurts to say it again, THANK YOU”

Both of us feel so fortunate that both of our boys have experienced your positive influence and being a great role model. Thank you for everything you do for our kids. Looking forward to the wrestling season.

I don’t think you’ll remember me; I was on the Greeley wrestling team 20 years ago (Wow time flies). I started late as a junior and did 98 then 105 and was friends with the Bill Moon. I somehow got on some wrestling mailing list and saw you on the top and just wanted to take the opportunity to write you a note. I was not a very good wrestler in high school and I lost more matches than I won. But I just wanted to tell you that the experience I had there at wrestling really helped me for the rest of my life. Even though I wasn’t that good, I really appreciate the discipline you instilled from the training and it helped me with lots of things outside of sports. It was a discipline I could never get in academics and was not getting at home either since my parents were purely academic focused. Even just the discipline of making weight was one of the hardest things I have done that made everything else seem easy. I was a really skinny and kind of weak kid and being on the wrestling team gave me a lot of confidence and I have been into athletics the rest of my life from there. I work professionally in financial services, but I have kept up with grappling. Wrestling ended up helping me do well in Jiu-Jitsu as I trained with the Gracie’s and Machados for several years after college and I now train at a top Mixed Martial Arts academy in Los Angeles where there are many top pro fighters. I’m still only 135 now. I just wanted to say “thank you “as an adult now, and let you know that even though I didn’t win many matches back then, your coaching and leadership really had a positive effect on my life. It showed me a different standard of hard work and taught me to work on areas where I was lacking in order to overcome obstacles and succeed.

.. You can clearly see what a positive and everlasting influence you’ve made on him. God bless you… .I thank you from the bottom of my heart for inspiring our son to wrestle….it gave him so much more than a few wins…

“We truly appreciate you and your coaching staff for all that you have done for our boys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

“Thanks so much for a great season. Thank you for taking an interest in our son. He has really embraced this sport. He has already learned so much…physically, mentally and socially. Thanks to all the coaches for your dedication. It is a tremendous program. Thanks a million!

It has been great. Thank you for ALL that you do for our children. Lessons (and love 🙂 from their wrestling Coaches will live within them for their entire life!

“Coach, Thank you for your unwaivering faith and confidence with our son. You have given him something he will carry with him for the rest of his life. The family you have built through this program is impressive. Thanks again for being such an important part of his life.”

Thanks so much Coach. We really appreciate all you have done for our son over the years- your influence has been nothing short of life changing.

Thank you all for generously putting so much of your time, your expertise, your energy and positive intentions toward helping make our son’s road to an appearance in the Big Tournament a reality for him this year. Thanks for, not only supporting his dream, but also in recognizing his ability and giving of your time in helping him realize his potential to become a very good wrestler and an athlete who would represent the John Jay Wrestling program well – and make you all proud in doing so. We hope he will take everything you’ve given him these last three years and continue to make you proud of the person he will become in the future – we hope with much gratitude and thanks for what you have shared as the special mentors and friends you are to him and to our family on his behalf. Thanks for being such fantastic examples of what success really means!

I wanted to let you know that our son was going to sign up for Recreation Basketball and Wrestling, however, the schedules of both sports have conflicts. So I told him that he would have to make a decision. Many of his friends at school kept pressuring him to play basketball. I am happy to inform you that he just called to inform me that he is making the commitment to wrestle. I am calling to notify the Recreation Dept. that he will not be joining their basketball program. I was praying that he made this choice and it took everything I had to not influence his decision. I asked him what helped him make the decision, he said the Coaches. He said that he really likes you and knows that he could learn a lot from you. I sent the Sport Packet paperwork for him to wrestle. The nurse said that he was clear to wrestle. Thank you for influencing both my boys! I appreciate you! If you need me to assist in organizing anything or help out in any way to support the team’s efforts, please let me know. Have a great weekend! JJ Wrestling Mom

I also want to thank you once again for being such a positive role model for our son over the last 5 years and I hope that if we can ever help you in the future that you won’t hesitate to let us know.

Coach, you are one heck of mentor and role model for these guys, about wrestling, about people, about making a difference in life. With the greatest of respect and admiration

Hi Coach, Thanks to you personally for making wrestling such a classy and productive experience. Last night we went head to head against JJCR. Everyone of my wrestlers got a chance to wrestle, to get better, and to make a new friend outside the circle. Coach Tom gave you credit for the match up protocols and the facility. I just wanted to say thank you for the vision and reality you have brought to wrestling for all of us. MS Wrestling Coach…Northern Westchester

Coach, I want to thank you for heading up the state workouts. Your energy and dedication to Section 1 is amazing. Your effort and sincere wish for all section 1 wrestlers to do well at states is quite unusual in an era of selfishness. ….HS Wrestling Coach-Lower Westchester

We all are thankful to you- for what you do for the program, all the boys and our son in particular. It is a truly amazing program.