The DuVal High School cross-country team was ranked ninth and fifth nationally during his junior and senior years.

Malley attended Penn State University, where he was a five-time All-America, and broke the American record in the steeplechase with his 8:22.54[8] at the 1977 AAU National Championships in Westwood, California.

1981 began with a New Years Day attempt on Bill Rodgers American Record at 15,000 m (43:39.8) in Palo Alto, CA.

Malley would fall 3 seconds short with his 43:43.2[14] On March 15, in Cherry Hill, NJ, he would tie the existing 10 mile AR of 47:02 held by Herb Lindsay in a losing effort to fellow steeplechaser Mike Roche, who established the new mark with his 46:57.

[4] While preparing for the 1981 IAAF World Cross Country Championships Malley would tear his plantar fascia.