Ike spent his early school years in the city of Rogue River. In 1938, as a freshman at Rogue River High, he was the star backfield mainstay on their 8-man football team.

In 1939 his family moved to Medford whereas a Medford High sophomore, and never having played regular 11-man football, he broke into the starting Medford line-up at fullback. A newspaper quote from his coach, Bill Bowerman, stated: “I don’t see how we can keep him out of the backfield.” This was the start of three outstanding football seasons at Medford High, gaining All· Conference selection during his junior and senior years.

After his senior year at Medford, Ike was given a 4-year football scholarship by Lon Stiner, then head football coach at Oregon State University. Being World War II days, he left Oregon State, during his rook year, to join the Navy. During his Navy days he was a physical training instructor and played on the West Coast Navy football team.  He earned a starting position in the Navy backfield that featured All-Americans Choo Justice, Buddy Young and Bobby Nelson. A quotation from the Los Angeles Times read: “The backfield of Justice, Young, Nelson and Orr are one of the finest all-around groups ever assembled. Possibly even better than the 4 Horsemen”.