A 1982 graduate of Deshler High School, Jack was an outstanding baseball player on the high school, college and professional level. In 1982, he led the Tiger baseball team to its first ever state playoff appearance reaching the finals that year. He batted .475, had 20 RBI's and stole 15 bases in his senior season, Following high school Jack signed a baseball scholarship with Wallace State Junior College, leading the team in 1983 with a .376 batting average and again the following season batting .404. He was selected to the Alabama Junior College All-Conference Team both seasons. After playing two years at Wallace State, he was signed by legendary college baseball Coach Ron Polk at Mississippi State. Playing for the Bulldogs in 1985-1986 he batted .330 and was signed to a professional contract with the Class A Boise Hawks where he led the Independent League in turning double plays as a second baseman. He batted .279 in just 69 games with 62 hits, 9 doubles, 1 home run, 23 RBI;s and 9 stolen bases. He followed that up batting .290 in 1988 and .273 in 1989.