He attended Norwood High School and played basketball for coach Dick Dallmer, who was an All-American at the University of Cincinnati, and baseball, graduating in 1957.

[4] The Bearcats posted a 26–4 record and won the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) championship, and advanced to the NCAA final Four, where they finished in third place nationally.

[4] By Bouldin's senior season of 1960–61, with Robertson graduated and new coach Ed Jucker leading the Bearcats, Bouldin was team co-captain with Bob Wiesenhahn, who both started along with Hogue and newcomers forward Tom Thacker and guard Tony Yates to form an athletic, physical, balanced attack.

[4] The Bearcats posted a 27–3 record, successfully defended their MVC title, and for the third consecutive season advanced to the NCAA final Four.

[6] Bouldin was selected in the 14th round of the 1961 NBA draft by the Cincinnati Royals, but the two-sport college star decided the professional baseball was the best option.

[7] During the season, he was called up to the Major League Washington Senators, and made his first MLB appearance on September 2, 1961, allowing one run in two innings in a 13–7 loss to the Chicago White Sox.

[11] He played most of the season in the minors, first for Toronto and then for the Indianapolis Indians, the Pacific Coast League affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.