Kurt’s minor league career as a player actually stretches back to 1972, when he played with the Lake County (IL) Rifles. He later joined the Delavan Red Devils and Lincolnwood (IL) Chargers, before coming to the Gladiators in 1982 and playing 12 years with the Gladiators and Raiders.
Kurt earned the distinction of being the first active player ever to be inducted into the American Football Association (AFA) Hall of Fame, an honor bestowed in 1988. He also earned league most valuable player honors twice and was an all-league player 16 times. He was also named to the Midwest Football League Hall of Fame.
Before becoming the Raiders’ head coach (1995-1996), Kurt played under Harry Gilbert, Pete Bock, Bob Milkie, and Terry Converse.
“My fondest memories are simply hanging around the guys,” Kurt said in an interview from his Illinois home in 2004. “We always had a top notch team and won many championships.”
As a head coach, Kurt amassed a 29-4 record, winning the MCFL and MLFA championships in 1995.
Kampendahl earned 12 letters during his college career in football, baseball, and track. He was named All-Conference as both an offensive and defensive tackle. He earned a spot in the Eureka College Hall of Fame.
Kurt’s number was retired in 1993.
- Midwest Football League All-Star, 1988
- Midwest Football League Hall of Fame
- American Football Association Hall of Fame
