Steve graduated from Muscle Shoals High School in 1967 where he was four sport athlete for the Trojans. He was a member of the football, basketball, baseball and track squads, earning a total of 12 letters during his high school career as Muscle Shoals was in the process of building a competitive athletic program in the Shoals area. He was chosen the most valuable back of the football team his junior and senior seasons along with being named All-Quad Cities by the Times Daily his senior season. Also he was named Honorable Mention All-State by the Birmingham News in 1966. Following his high school he was signed to a football scholarship by the Vanderbilt Commodores and would become the starting punter during the 1969 and 1970 seasons. Highlights of Steve's career included being named first team All-SEC Punter in 1970 and being a valuable member of the 1969 Vandy team that upset Alabama 14-10.