[1] With poor grades and following a senior slump, according to a 1982 article in the Lexington Herald-Leader, Mack had "to scrounge for" an opportunity to play college baseball for the Lamar University Cardinals.

[2] However, according to a 1985 article in the same newspaper, he had several competing scholarship offers but ultimately decided to attend Lamar "because it was in the South" and he knew that was where he needed to go if he was "serious about baseball.

[4][5][6] In 1981, he won a gold medal as a member of the United States national team in the 1981 World Games.

On the advice of Lamar coach Lou Smith, the California Angels selected Mack in the third round of the 1982 Major League Baseball draft.

[7] Shortly thereafter, the Angels acquired veteran pitchers John Candelaria and Al Holland and Mack's services were no longer required.