A graduate of Deshler High School in 1980, Alan was both an outstanding wrestler and a defensive lineman for the Tiger football team. He was a member of the Times Daily All Century team and on the Ten Most Wanted list in football of the Birmingham News in 1980. He was awarded the A.C. Curry Memorial Award for Best Defensive Lineman in the Quad Cities, member of the North Team in the All-Star football game, All-State in football in 1979 and 1980, and a member if the Carnation instant Breakfast All American Team in 1980. In wrestling he was TVC Champion in 1978,1979 and 1980 as well as a two time State Champion in 1979 and 1980. After high school, he was signed to a football scholarship to the University of Alabama and played on the 1981 SEC championship team. He returned home to play on the 1983 and 1985 North Alabama Gulf South Conference Champion teams and was All GSC in both of those years.