Kurt played football, basketball and track during his tenure at Coventry High School. In football, Kurt was a two-year letterman and captain. He holds the distinction of being the first Coventry football player to be First-Team, All-State as a defensive back following his senior season. Kurt was also a First-Team, All-Suburban League selection at quarterback. Kurt was a two-year letterman in basketball and earned Honorable Mention, All Suburban League honors. In track, Kurt was a four-year letterman and two-year captain. He set the school low-hurdles record. He was also the Suburban League high and low-hurdle champion and the Northeastern Ohio District high-hurdles champion. As a senior, Kurt was awarded the Ken Eshelman Award given annually to a male student who exemplifies leadership, scholarship and citizenship. He was also awarded the Ron Rector award, which is given to the most outstanding senior football player. After his high school graduation, Kurt went on to the United States Coast Guard Academy where he participated in football, indoor track and outdoor track. He was a two-year letterman in football, setting four school passing records in one game. He earned four letters in indoor track and was named Most Valuable Track Athlete. Kurt earned an additional two letters in outdoor track. After graduating from the U.S. Coast Guard, he went on to a career in the Coast Guard where he was awarded several medals before retiring in 2006. After the Coast Guard Kurt pursued a Master of Divinity with a specialization in Chaplaincy.