Jay is a native of Arizona and participated in both basketball and baseball during high school as well as being the state champion in wrestling. After graduation, Jay attended Biola University then returned to Arizona to marry his high school sweetheart, Linda. Jay and Linda had three kids graduate from VC: Emily (‘05), Sarah (‘07), and Heather (‘10).
Jay spent a majority of his wrestling career working in full time ministry for Campus Crusades for Christ and Athletes in Action, where he used the platform of wrestling to travel to 6 countries and 35 states to preach the gospel. During this time, Jay was also training for the Olympics, culminating in his 4th place finish at the National competition in ‘87. Jay also earned a 3rd place finish for the USA at the Brighton Tournament in England, in which 24 different countries were represented.
After retiring from Athletes in Action in ‘88 he coached at both McClintock High School and Mesquite High School before starting his coaching career at VC in 1999. Through 30+ years of coaching he still believes that wrestling is a great sport to coach because it is tough and teaches kids character and hard work. He also likes seeing kids grow both physically and spiritually, which is something he loves about coaching at Valley Christian.
