Pepper played lacrosse in high school at Christian Brothers Academy, Syracuse, New York from 1971 to 1974 and played at Siena College, Loudonville, New York, U.S.A. from 1975 to 1978.
Pepper’s coaching experience includes stints at three high schools in New York State from 1979 to 1987: Baldwinsville, East Syracuse-Minoa, and Christian Brothers Academy. He served as Head Coach at Christian Brothers Academy in 1986 and 1987.
Pepper currently resides in Camillus, N.Y., with his wife, Susie. His daughter Sarah Leone lives in East Syracuse with her husband, Joe and their two children, John and Ella. Sarah’s twin brother, John, played Lacrosse at West Genesee High School. John died in a car crash at age 15 in 2001 and this year marked the 15th anniversary of the Annual John Pepper Memorial Lacrosse Tournament, which benefits the West Genesee High School boy’s and girl’s lacrosse programs and several other charitable organizations.