Jack attended Salesianum and was coached by Father Beattie. In 1970 and 1971 he was the Delaware State champion in the 440. In 1971, at the Philadelphia Classic High School Championship held at Franklin Field, Jack won the 440 with a time of 48.6 that remains as a record today at Salesianum. He was the 440 Delaware Junior Olympic Champion in 1970 and 1971 and the Mid-Atlantic Junior Olympic Champion in 1971. He was co-captain of Salesianum when it won its first outdoor State championship in 1971. Jack was selected as the “Most Outstanding Athlete” in his junior and senior years at Salesianum.
Jack attended Villanova University and was coached by Jumbo Elliott. Jack anchored the mile relay team for three years. During the 1973 outdoor season, Jack ran a 48.6 on Villanova’s Distant Medley Championship of America team at the Penn Relay’s. During the 1974 indoor track season, Jack was a member of the winning Millrose Games Mile relay team (3:24:00) and was also a member of the relay team that won the Philadelphia Track Classic Distance Medley (9:56:4). He received the Coach’s Award for Dedication his senior year.