Bobby graduated from Colbert Heights High School in Tuscumbia, Alabama, and the University of North Alabama. In high school, Bob was All-County and All Area in basketball from 1973-1975. In addition he was selected to the All-State Team in 1975 as he led the Wildcats to the state finals in class 2A, finishing as the runner-up. He was also selected to play in the 1974-1975 East-West Baseball game. Following high school, he was signed to a basketball scholarship at Northwest Junior College where he averaged 11.0 ppg and was named best defensive player. Following 2 years at Northwest, he went on to play for the University of North Alabama as the Lions won their first Division II National Basketball Championship.