A four sports athlete at Cherokee Vocational High School, Jerome graduated in 1975. He lettered in football, basketball, baseball and track for the Indians. Even though he was a gifted player in all four sports, It was in basketball that he excelled. Playing for Colbert County Sports Hall of Fame Coach Andy Bolding, he started for four years in basketball. He averaged in double figures all four years, capping off his high school career averaging 24 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists as a senior. During his junior year the Indians finished as the Runner-up in the State Basketball tournament. Following high school he received a basketball scholarship to Northwest Community College where he started for two years, averaging 15 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists his sophomore year. After two years at Northwest he went on to sign with the University of Auburn in Montgomery. He now lives in Kosciusko, Mississippi.