before turning professional, alley was a member of the us national team at the 1976 winter olympics as well as the 1974, 1975 and 1978 ice hockey world championship teams. he played for the university of wisconsin–madison in 1973–75, and 1976–77. alley completed his college career by scoring the game-winning goal (23 seconds into overtime) in wisconsin's 6-5 win over michigan in the 1977 ncaa division i championship game.