Monte Stocker rowed for the University of Washington, graduating in 1955 with an engineering degree, and later represented the Lake Washington Rowing Club. He grew up on Mercer Island, attending Garfield High School. After finishing his freshman year at U Washington, Stocker served in the US Navy for one year during the Korean War. Stocker sat in the sixth seat for the U Washington eight. His Lake Washington RC four won the title at the National Association of Amateur Oarsmen (NAAO) meet in 1959-62, which qualified them for the 1959 Pan Ams and 1960 Olympics, although Stocker did not compete at the 1959 Pan Ams.