Anthony G. Veldhaus graduated from Milan High School in 1973 and played three years of varsity basketball for the Milan Indians. Known for his scoring and rebounding abilities, Veldhaus earned MVP for his team both his junior and senior years. During his junior year he scored over 20 points per game and was the leading rebounder with an average of 12 per game. As a senior he was both the leading scorer and the leading rebounder. He scored 19.3 points per game with 14 plus rebounds. He was named to the all-county, all-sectional, and all-regional teams during the 1972-73 season and was all-conference during both his junior and senior years. Veldhaus won the Milan All-Sports trophy in 1973 and was Star of Stars for the 40&8 All Star game.

Playing four years of basketball for the Hanover College Panthers under Coach John Collier, Veldhaus was named MVP after his junior year and was nominated for the Hanover College Athletic Hall of Fame. He helped Hanover finish eighth in the nation in the NAIA in 1974 with a season record of 29-4.