 Fugler played at Ferriday High School where his team won three straight Class A state championships from 1954–1956 under coach Johnny Robertson.Fugler began his LSU career as a running back in 1957, seeing limited playing time as he rushed 16 times on the season for 54 yards.In 1958 and 1959, Fugler was a part of the "White Team," the starting unit in coach Paul Dietzel's 3-platoon system and played both offense and defense.