A native of Milwaukee, Wink began his college football playing career as a quarterback at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1942. The following season, he played at the University of Michigan as a marine trainee. Wink started two games as quarterback for the 1943 Michigan Wolverines. After World War II, he returned to Wisconsin, lettering for the Badgers in 1946 and 1947. As a senior in 1947, he was named the team's honorary captain at a postseason banquet.