 Chapman graduated from Marion Harding High School in 1953, earning six combined letters in football, basketball, and baseball, including earning first-team all-Buckeye League as defensive back his senior season.Chapman was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and graduated Ohio University in 1960 with his bachelor's degree and University of Cincinnati in 1965 with his master's degree.At the high school level, he coached Willoughby South to a 101–35–6 (.732) record from 1968 to 1981, earning five Greater Cleveland Conference championships (1970, 1973, 1974, 1978 and 1980).