After graduating from Onalaska High School, Newberry attended the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse on an academic scholarship.
[1] Newberry was a four year starter and letter winner on the offensive line for the Wisconsin–La Crosse Eagles football team under head coach Roger Harring.
He was also a captain of the 1985 NAIA Division II Football National Championship winning team.
Newberry started in all three playoff games, beating the Indianapolis Colts in the 1995 AFC Championship Game by a score of 20–16, before losing to the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XXX 17–27.
Shortly after the Super Bowl, Newberry informed head coach Bill Cowher that he planned to retire.