Born October 16th, 1956, Steve started playing baseball at an early age. He participated in the El Dorado youth leagues and was a member of some of the area tournament teams. At El Dorado High School, he was named to the All-Ark Valley League team his junior and senior years. Steve also played on the Post 81 Legion team where he competed twice on the 5th District Championship team.

After High School, he went to Butler County Community College on a basketball scholarship. Then, in 1976, he transferred to Emporia State University and started as a left fielder on the baseball team. In that year the team went 33-18, won District and placed second in the Great Plains Athletic Conference. During his three years at Emporia State University, he started and was a letterman each year. In 1978, he was named to the NAIA World Series All Tournament team, NAIA All American Honorable Mention, NAIA All Area III First Team, NAIA All District 10 First Team, and Central States Intercollegiate Conference First Team.

Those outstanding accomplishments earned him a spot on the 1978 USA NAIA All-Star Team. The team traveled to Seoul, South Korea and Taipei, Taiwan to play and Steve was a leader of the team and elected Captain. Steve now resides in Augusta, Kansas where he is married to his wife Gay and has three children; Jayden, Tessa and Nellie.