Although he was born in Little Rock, Arkansas,[1] Pace was raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

In track, he ran a time of a 9.6 seconds in the 100 yard dash at Dunbar High School.

[4] He was also awarded the Chicago Tribune Silver Football as the Most Valuable Player in the Big Ten Conference.

[5] He also ran track at Michigan and won the Big Ten 60-yard indoor dash title.

[3] He was also selected by the Associated Press as a first-team player on the 1957 College Football All-America Team.