Vance graduated from Deshler High School in 1962 where he was valuable member of the football and baseball teams during high school. He was selected to the All-TVC Team as a guard in football and was chosen to play in the East-West baseball game as an All-Star third baseman. After a great high school career Vance was awarded a football scholarship to the University of Georgia. As a defensive tackle he was instrumental in the 1964 Georgia Sun Bowl victory over Texas Tech intercepting a Tech pass to clinch the win.