Coach John Stuper
Has Had A Major Impact
On The Lives Of Others For Over 30 Years.
Both On and Off The Field
In a day and age where the recruiting process is both lucrative and confusing, it is imperative to seek guidance from someone who knows the college recruiting landscape intimately, has a strong network, and above of all who is worthy of your trust. John Stuper is that person.
I have known Coach Stuper for 30 years. First, as a college baseball coach, then as an advisor and mentor, and more recently as a trusted friend.
There may be no stronger endorsement of his impact. Not all his former players go on to careers in professional baseball. In fact, most do not. But all are mature and successful because they were guided by Coach Stuper in their most formative years.
Coach Stuper knows the baseball landscape from all angles.
He has played the game at every single level, he has worked in professional player development, and for 30 years he led an extremely successful and extraordinarily high-character Ivy League baseball program that produced more than its fair share of MLB players and prominent leaders.
I can’t think of a more trustworthy advisor for young players who are navigating their all-important college recruiting decisions.
John Stuper has worked tirelessly and most successfully with young student athletes during his outstanding career at Yale University as Baseball Coach for 30 Years.
Upon his retirement from college coaching John has focused on helping young student-athletes and their families sort through the many challenging aspects of finding the school and program best suited to meet their needs.
My four decade association with John as his Coach during his early career in college baseball, a friend and fan during his professional baseball career and our 25 years together at Yale I offer my highest praise of his caring nature, knowledge and experience and outstanding integrity.
Coach John Stuper has been a big part of our Ivy League baseball camps in Orange County CA. We started running our camps in 2007 and Coach Stuper was a large part of our success. He was one of the first Ivy League coaches to agree to work our camp, and he helped others to join the fold.
He brings not only a wealth of baseball knowledge, but a great deal more. He knows the inner-workings of the college recruiting process very well. He lived it for many years, at Yale and other colleges prior to Yale. At the end of our camp, he would speak about recruiting, baseball, what it takes, what and where to focus and helped our camp attendees to understand there is more to college recruiting than choosing one school and hoping you get accepted.
There is a process and it can be a difficult one to navigate. If we had a student athlete in our family, he would be the one to “coach” them thru the process! He is a trustworthy advocate and will tell you the truth. Often in this recruiting process, other recruiting people just tell you what you want to hear. That is not what Coach Stuper will do, he will steer you in the right direction.
John Stuper’s extensive experience at the highest level of collegiate academic and athletic performance is an asset to anyone trying to understand and navigate the college recruiting process. As a coach, John forged a special bond with his players due to his authentic care for their well-being, direct communication, and honesty.
I highly recommend that any high school athlete interested in playing at the collegiate level will benefit from Coach Stuper’s expert guidance on communicating with college coaches, understanding correspondence from college coaches to recruits, and selecting the opportunity that is in the best interest of the prospective student-athlete.
John’s expertise has been a valuable resource for me and my staff at the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) in educating Connecticut coaches and student-athletes about the realities of college recruiting and preparing them for the best opportunity for success through the recruiting process.
Coach Stuper changed my life. He helped me navigate the college recruiting process and gave me the tools to balance division one athletics with world-class academics.
It has been more than twenty years since I played for Coach Stuper, but I still use the lessons he taught me and I have passed them on to countless others.
He is a trusted resource, a valuable mentor, and a tremendous asset to anyone who strives to be a scholar-athlete.
Playing college baseball at Yale for a coach like John Stuper has been one of the highlights of my life. Not only did Coach Stuper teach me the game of baseball, he also helped me to become a better person. Now that many years have passed since my playing days, the life lessons have proved to be the most important.
Coach Stupe taught me the importance of things like honesty, integrity, compassion, empathy, humility and respect – lessons that not all college athletes are fortunate enough to receive from their coaches. He also taught me the importance of preparation in order to reach my potential, both on and off the field.
These lessons have served me well throughout my life post-baseball, and I’m grateful to have played for not just a legendary college baseball coach, but also for a wonderful human being.
John Stuper, affectionately known as “Stupe” is the perfect partner for student athletes and parents, navigating the current college recruiting landscape. As my Baseball Coach at Yale, he instilled the highest confidence in me. Quite simply, he made me Believe I could do things on the field I hadn’t thought possible, which enabled me to play professionally. Stupe’s charisma, energy and love of competition was unmatched and his ability to help his players acknowledge and adapt to their own strengths and weaknesses is a true gift. This has stayed with me long after my playing days ended.
As a current Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch, I coach families on how to play and win the personal finance game and I utilize many of Stupe’s lessons he taught me on the field.
I have called on Stupe in recent years to guide me personally with the recruiting game as I have had 3 sons play collegiate sports (football and basketball). His ability to teach the student athlete how to communicate and connect with college coaches is priceless!
I cannot speak highly enough of Coach Stuper and the immense impact he has had on my life. I first met Coach Stuper 6 years ago. Coach Stuper has always seen my potential even when I could not. Over the years, Coach Stuper has been so much more than an athletic and career coach. He has been a trusted mentor, advisor, and friend. Professionally, he has pushed me to set ambitious goals, take calculated risks, and stretch myself outside my comfort zone.
Coach Stuper has this incredible ability to meet you where you are and see your potential even when you’re unsure. He asks thoughtful questions, listens intently, and makes you feel valued.
If you want a coach who will be your biggest advocate, push you to grow, and become an invaluable mentor – Coach Stuper is second to none. I cannot imagine reaching my goals without his guidance and friendship. Coach Stuper has been a game changer for me and so many others. I enthusiastically recommend him to anyone seeking meaningful growth in their life and career.
I have known Coach Stuper for over 25 years. He has served many roles in my life including coach, mentor, and friend since I played for him at Yale. He is truly a class act with the highest level of integrity. His knowledge when it comes to college recruiting is second to none.
Coach has seen how the recruiting process has evolved over his long career and understands how to identify the opportunities and situations that are best suited for his student athletes. I have four boys that hope to play college athletics and I plan on working with Coach Stuper to identify the best fit for my boys.
Father of Student, Yale Athlete, Dillon (Class of 2030)
When our son was recruited by Coach Stuper, we anticipated a strong collegiate player-coach relationship. However, Coach Stuper exceeded any expectation we had by becoming a mentor, advisor, advocate, and friend to our son and our family. He understands the importance of the entire player-family support system. While Coach Stuper certainly cares about players’ development in baseball, he also strives to ensure they become positive and successful young men.
Our son is a recent Yale graduate, and although Coach Stuper had retired, he was completely available to Jimmy for conversations and advice regarding graduate school and baseball beyond Yale. Coach Stuper’s impact on those he’s coached is evident by the number of former players & player families who keep in touch with him. There was never a time during our years as Yale Baseball parents when we didn’t have direct access to Coach Stuper. His players and their futures are his top priority. He makes time for people. It’s a gift. He is honorable, trustworthy and a straight shooter. We cannot think of a better person to help guide athletes and families through this critical phase in life.
Coach Stuper is one of my first true mentors. During the recruiting process, I had never experienced a coach that was completely upfront about his expectations and transparent with me about where I stood on his list of recruits. From the day I stepped on campus, Coach Stuper made one thing very clear—he had my back. Coach Stuper has lived up to these words in every way both on and off the field. On the field, Coach Stuper helped me to realize my full potential. When I was told I needed to undergo Tommy John surgery, Coach Stuper had my back the whole way. Not only did he invest himself in my recovery process, but he was with me throughout the process. He wished me luck the morning of my surgery and checked in on me that night—Coach Stuper cares about you not just as a player, but as a person.
Coach Stuper’s impact on me off the field was just as important as on the field. When Coach Stuper recruited me, he knew that I wanted to go to medical school to become an orthopedic surgeon. He knew that for me, success on the baseball field was only part of my personal goals. Coach Stuper is not just a mentor, but a close friend. If he ever contacts me for help, I know I will do the same as many before me already have.
I played baseball for Coach Stuper for four years at Yale and can vouch for his deep knowledge of the game and commitment to his players. He’ll bring that same expertise and commitment to helping your child navigate the collegiate athletic recruiting process.
For decades, Coach Stuper skillfully managed to recruit outstanding athletes and get them admitted into an extremely competitive academic institution.
So, he simultaneously thinks like a coach and an admissions officer at an elite university! When my kids begin their collegiate recruiting journey, I’ll be calling Coach Stuper.
Coach Stuper is someone who takes on many roles in my life from coach, to mentor, to teacher, to friend. There are countless examples of him offering me guidance and support at the drop of a hat, on or off the field, across all matters of life. He is someone I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to play for and continue to maintain a strong relationship with.
I have complete trust in his genuine desire to help athletes succeed, and someone I am proud to have in my corner. He reached the pinnacle of the game of baseball, and understands the dynamics of competitive athletics at the highest levels.
Coach Stuper helped me and my family navigate the recruiting landscape by answering all of our questions to help us better understand the process and feel more comfortable. He made the ‘labyrinth’ of recruiting feel like a straight path with no road bumps.
Yale University (Class of 2000)
Coach Stuper has been tremendously helpful both on and off the field. With his extensive experiences playing and coaching, Coach Stuper truly taught me how to play and succeed at the college level. Off the field, he was always available to talk about baseball or any other stressors in life.
Coach Stuper taught me how to be an upstanding man in our society and how to represent our program well. Without his guidance both on and off the field, there is no way I would be where I am today. When deciding whether or not to continue my career beyond Yale Baseball, the first call I made was to Coach Stuper and we had a fruitful discussion that led to the right choice. I owe so much to Coach Stuper and can’t thank him enough for everything he has done for me.
Yale University (Class of 2023)
34 years ago my parents put their faith and trust into John Stuper with my Academic and Athletic future. With his guidance he helped me achieve my goals of playing Division 1 Baseball in the ACC, graduating and getting a chance to play professionally.
Now, my wife and I put all of our faith in John with our son’s Academic and Athletic dreams. He is a class of 2025. With his experience from coaching at the Junior College, Ivy League, Minor Leagues levels, let alone pitching in a World Series, his experience and knowledge is second to none. He will be honest with you and will advise one what he thinks is the best fit, even if you disagree. If you have the opportunity to partner with John, it is a great opportunity.
Coach John Stuper is one of the best recruiters I’ve ever seen. I’ve known him since 1983 and ever since he got the Yale Baseball head coaching job, I’ve watched him work his recruiting magic to change the lives of hundreds of players from up close, including recruiting me in the 1993-1994 school year. Ethical, moral and thorough are the words I’d use to describe the way he goes about things. Positives about Yale Baseball instead of putting down other schools is paramount in his recruiting.
My life changed for the best the day he recruited me and pushed for me to apply and I can’t thank him enough for doing so. He is a dear friend to this day and hundreds of other players he’s recruited have had the exact same experience as me.
Yale University (Class of 1998)
As a former player for Coach Stuper, I could not think of a more knowledgeable person to assist in navigating the modern recruiting landscape. His decades of experience are an invaluable resource, and allow him to provide practical and tailored advice to student-athletes looking to make the jump to the next level.
Coach Stuper, and his team at College Recruiting Experts, have the expertise and resources to get your child in front of the real decision makers in this process.
I can say with absolute certainty that there is not a better group currently working in the recruiting space, and certainly no better collection of people I would want helping my child achieve their dream of playing college sports.
Coach Stuper was the first and only Division 1 baseball coach who took a chance on me; the last player to commit in his 2020 recruiting class. 4 years later, I was the captain of his baseball team. I was recruited to be a pitcher only, but upon arriving on campus, I told him I was good enough to play the field and hit on his team too. He obliged the challenge and by the spring semester of my freshman year I was starting in the outfield and pitching in relief. The message was clear.
If you believe in yourself, so does Stupe. If you ask for more, he will give you the opportunity and then it’s up to you to make it happen. There are not many, if any, other places in the country that I could have gone where that would have been a possibility. The relationship between us the players and Coach Stuper was founded on healthy dialogue and that is why you will see dozens of testimonials on his behalf like those on this site. He understood that the role of coach does not always remain pure to the job description but may incorporate roles like mentor, advisor, friend, father figure, and occasionally comedian. I trusted him with my college career once and I would do so again.
Should I someday have a child, relative, or friend engaging in the college recruiting process in baseball or otherwise, Coach Stuper will be the first person I call.
I had the pleasure of playing for Coach Stuper for five years as a member of the Yale Baseball program. Coach Stuper’s baseball acumen speaks for itself, having played professional baseball for the better part of a decade and, in the process, having famously won Game 6 of the 1982 World Series to propel the St. Louis Cardinals to a World Series championship. Stupe has been to the mountaintop of his sport, having had success at every level of competitive baseball along the way. In my career, I very rarely encountered coaches with sheer knowledge and experience on par with that of Coach Stuper’s, and that alone is an invaluable asset to have in the recruiting and development processes.
While his extensive experience and expertise in his field were obviously instrumental in the athletic development of myself and my teammates, Coach Stuper’s profound care for, and fierce loyalty towards, his players is what I believe has been his greatest contribution to our careers and lives. There was never a doubt in any of our minds that Stupe had our best interests at heart; and, in more challenging times, this only became more evident. There have been many examples of this, a particularly good one being Stupe’s leadership throughout the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, which affected almost half of my own college career. Stupe advocated incessantly for us and for our well-being, even at the risk of disagreeing with his own colleagues and superiors. He was consistently honest with us, with
good and bad news alike, which only strengthened our trust in him. He made himself readily available in whatever way(s) could be beneficial to us, at a time when we all admittedly had our own unique difficulties with being so frequently inside, sedentary, isolated, and away from our sport. It is perhaps ironic, but also highly indicative of his leadership and character, that Stupe’s concern for and commitment to his players was arguably most obvious when playing baseball was most removed from our daily lives.
I was lucky enough to get to return to Yale for a fifth year of school and baseball, in conjunction with Coach Stuper’s return for his final year of leading the program. Stupe’s personal avocation and recommendation on my behalf to the graduate school which ultimately accepted me is something for which I’m profoundly grateful, and something without which my homecoming may not have been possible.
The largely unplanned, pandemic-induced returns of us both brought us especially close in this last year, and it was an honor to finish my Yale career in the background of him finishing his. Growing up in the New Haven area, I knew of Coach Stuper years before having met him for the first time. He is extremely well respected in the area, as he is throughout the college baseball world, as a successful, knowledgeable coach whose players enjoy playing for him. Moreover, he is universally recognized across teams, sports, schools, and competition levels as a good role model, a good friend, and a good man. My parents signed off with resounding enthusiasm and trust on my desire to play for Coach Stuper at Yale. I did the same for myself four years later in my decision to return for a fifth year.
Yale University (Class of 2021-22)