Doug excelled in three sports at Chagrin Falls High School. He lettered four times in baseball and was an All-Ohio selection during his senior year. He was First Team All-Conference in football, basketball and baseball during his senior year. Doug earned a football/baseball scholarship to Bowling Green State University. At BGSU, he lettered three years in baseball and twice in football. After college, he played professional baseball in the Cincinnati Reds organization for two years.