His father, Millard Hampton Sr. was a top sprinter in his own right, placing as high as second in the CIF California State Meet 220 yards in 1952.

Millard Hampton attended Silver Creek High School in San Jose, California, where he was coached by former San Jose State great Bobby Poynter, graduating in 1974 and continues to hold the school record in the 100 m at 10.4 sec.

While at Silver Creek, in 1974 he won the CIF California State Meet title that had eluded his father.

[2] Next Hampton went to San Jose City College (SJCC) where he was coached by Bobby Poynter and Bert Bonanno.

While at SJCC, Hampton won the 1976 Olympic Trials and at the Montreal Olympics, Hampton won silver medal in the 200 meters and ran the third leg in the gold medal winning American 4 x 100 metres relay team.