Ernie began his wrestling career while a student at Southern High School in Baltimore City Public Schools. He was recruited by Sully Crouse, who was wrestling coach at Southern High School and then went on to become the legendary coach at the University of Maryland College Park. During his years at Southern, Ernie won the Maryland Scholastic wrestler award. Upon completion of high school, Ernie attended the University of Maryland College and since the NCAA freshmen rule was in effect, he was not able to compete during Atlantic Coast Conference Championships and in his senior year placed second in theNCAA tournament where he was named All American.

During this time Emie was constantly plagued with shoulder injuries that began during his high school years. NCAA champion Joe Lemyre from Penn State in a dual meet; Ernie pinned the defending newspaper quickly labeled it a “FLUKE”, that Ernie got lucky. The two met in a match later decision. After the match, Ernie's brother Bob asked why he didn't pin him since he clearly could have done it. Ernie replied that he wanted to be sure that it was not a FLUKE.

Force as a Jet Pilot. In 1956, Ernie competed in the National AAU tournament held in Tulsa, Olympic Team. He competed in the Melbourne Australia Games on a team with such Ernie was discharged from the U.S, Air Force in February 1958 and enters civilian life Linen products to restaurants and hotels throughout Maryland. Olympics and the Air Force, he still continued to compete for the Baltimore YMCA team, He also went on to represent the United State's team in the Maccabe Games held in Israel, where he won two Gold Medals for two first places in 1958 and 1962.