Jeff was an outstanding gymnast at Wheeling High School. As a gymnast, Jeff was a 4-year varsity letter winner. Jeff was a 12-time medalist at the Mid Suburban League conference gymnastics meet, including being a conference champion in the vault, parallel bars, and all-around competition. Jeff also won I.H.S.A. sectional titles in the pommel horse, parallel bars, and the all-around. In the I.H.S.A. State Gymnastics meet, Jeff was a 5-time medalist. In 1978, Jeff was the Illinois State Champion on the still rings. Jeff’s success in gymnastics earned him the distinction of being the Wheeling male athlete of the year in 1979. That year he was also named a High School All-American in gymnastics.

Upon graduation, Jeff received a full athletic scholarship to Arizona State University. While at ASU, Jeff was a 2-time NCAA Pacific Ten Conference medalist. He was also the NCAA Southwest Cup rings champion in 1984. Jeff competed in the NCAA Gymnastics Championships 4 times. Currently, Jeff is a teacher in Arizona and coaches at a local gymnastics academy. As a coach, Jeff has trained two athletes who medaled at the Men’s Gymnastics World Championships, and one athlete who was an Olympic medalist