Charles Strack started college at Colgate, where he boxed and competed in track & field, throwing the shot, discus, and javelin. He then transferred to Oklahoma A&M (later Oklahoma State), where he was NCAA heavyweight wrestling champion in 1926. Strack then played one year of professional football with the Chicago Cardinals of the NFL in 1928. He also wrestled professionally, competing around the world from 1928-44. He had various careers throughout his life, working as a wrestling and track coach, serving as a machinist, swim instructor, and auto salesman, and was briefly chief of police for construction at the Newfoundland Naval Air Base. He also worked as an investigator for Rockland Light and Power (which became Orange & Rockland Utilities).