COACHES
VARSITY BOYS HEAD COACH
Rob Seipp
Coach Seipp is a proud John Jay alumnus, having played both soccer and tennis during his time at the school in the 1980s. As a standout member of the Varsity Soccer Team, he played during the Fall seasons of 1985 and 1986, serving as team captain his senior year. After graduating, Coach Seipp continued his athletic career, playing Division 1 soccer and tennis at Iona College in the Fall of 1987.
Following a transfer to Marist College, Seipp began his coaching career. He coached the Boys' and Girls' Varsity Soccer Teams at Our Lady of Lourdes from 1990 to 1993 before returning to Iona College to coach the Women's Soccer Team in 1994 and 1995. Seipp also served as an Assistant Coach for both the Men’s and Women’s Teams at Marist College in 1996 and 1997.
In the Fall of 1998, Coach Seipp returned to John Jay to teach and coach, where he has been a dedicated member of the community ever since. His coaching accomplishments extend beyond John Jay; he led the East Fishkill Strikers to two New York State Cup titles in 1996 and 1997. Additionally, he has contributed to the New York State Olympic Development Program (ODP) and spent five years coaching the Hudson Valley Region in the Empire State Games.
Coach Seipp began his journey through the National Coaching Schools of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) in 1990. By 1992, he had earned his NSCAA Advanced National Diploma, and in 1993, he achieved his USSF 'A' License. Throughout his coaching career, Coach Seipp had the privilege of learning from some of the best in the sport, including U.S. National Team Coaches like Anson Dorrance, Bob Gansler, Tony DiCicco, and Jay Miller. His coaching résumé includes mentoring notable players such as John Jay alumni Jeff Matteo and Jake Keegan, who were drafted by Major League Soccer teams Columbus Crew and Philadelphia Union, respectively. Additionally, he coached Edson Buddle, a member of the 2010 U.S. World Cup team, and Rich Martinez of the Puerto Rico National Team.
You can reach Coach Seipp via email at robert.seipp@wcsdny.org, and follow him on X @CoachSeipp.
JV BOYS HEAD COACH
Greg Axelson
Coach Axelson was born and raised on Long Island, where he attended West Babylon High School and played varsity soccer from 8th grade onward. A natural leader, he served as a three-year captain, guiding his team to the Section XI playoffs each season from 2000 to 2005, earning All-League, All-Conference, and All-County honors along the way. Throughout his youth, Coach Axelson competed at the highest levels of premier and regional travel soccer with the esteemed N.Y. Hota club based in Queens, NY. He also played for the Long Island Select team, Eastern New York State ODP, and spent time with the Westchester Flames, a regional team. As a sophomore, he was selected for an exchange program with A.C. Milan, where he trained in Italy under the club's esteemed coaches. Over the years, he has been mentored by several former professional athletes and National Team coaches, including Alfonso Mondelo, Luis Mendoza, Anthony Roros, and Kaz Gungor.
After graduating high school, Coach Axelson was recruited to play soccer at East Stroudsburg University, an NCAA Division II program in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). He initially played for the varsity team before transitioning to the club team. His coaching career began in the fall of 2008 as the Girls Varsity Assistant Coach at Stroudsburg High School in Monroe County, PA, where he helped lead the team to a district championship in his first season. Following his college graduation, he returned to his alma mater as the Varsity Girls Soccer Head Coach in 2009, where he led the program to six consecutive Class AA Section XI playoff appearances through 2014.
In the winter of 2015, Coach Axelson relocated to the Hudson Valley, accepting a Health Education teaching position at John Jay High School within the Wappingers Central School District. He was quickly brought onto the soccer coaching staff under Coach Seipp, taking on the role of JV boys coach for the 2015 season, a position he continues to hold. Coach Axelson has earned a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) coaching license by completing several grassroots courses. He remains actively involved in the local soccer community through the East Fishkill Soccer Club, where he coaches the 2017 Rebels travel boys team, a 2018 intramural team, and volunteers in camps and small group skills training sessions.
You can reach Coach Axelson via email at gregory.axelson@wcsdny.org, and follow him on the John Jay Boys Soccer Instagram account @JohnJayBoysSoccer.
VARSITY BOYS ASST. COACH
Brendan Horton
Coach Horton was a member of the John Jay Soccer Program from 1998 to 2001. After graduating, he continued his soccer journey at the University at Albany, where he played Club Soccer in 2002. While in Albany, he launched his coaching career as an Assistant Coach at Guilderland High School, learning under the mentorship of Mike Kinnally.
In 2005, Coach Horton began his formal coaching education through the National Coaching Schools of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). By 2006, he had earned his NSCAA Advanced Regional Diploma, Goalkeeping Level 1 and 2 Diplomas, and his USSF 'C' License.
Starting in 2005, Coach Horton joined the staff at Guilderland United Soccer Club (now FC Dutchmen Premier), where he coached several premier teams until 2007. He also contributed to the CDYSL Eastern New York State ODP Program for two years during his time in the Capital District. Throughout his career, Coach Horton has been fortunate to receive coaching training from esteemed Division 1 collegiate coaches, including Roy Pfeil, Johan Aarnio, Mike Kinnally, and Coach Seipp.
After returning to the Hudson Valley in 2007, Coach Horton began teaching at Walter Panas High School, where he served as both Assistant and Head Coach of the Boys Varsity Soccer Program from 2010 to 2014. During this time, he also coached and trained several teams within the East Fishkill Soccer Club, while additionally running specialized goalkeeping clinics through the club.
In 2015, Coach Horton joined the John Jay Boys Soccer coaching staff, where he has been a dedicated coach ever since. In 2022, he expanded his coaching repertoire by serving as the Goalkeeper Coach for the Hudson Valley Hammers in the United Soccer League (USL) League 2, a club founded by Wappingers Falls native Tyler Adams, competing in the fourth division of the U.S. Soccer pyramid.
You can reach Coach Horton via email at brendan.horton@wcsdny.org, and follow him on X @CoachHortonJJEF.
VARSITY BOYS ASST. COACH
Brian Fulton
Coming Soon!!
You can reach Coach Fulton via email at brian.fulton@wcsdny.org.