Defensive players, especially those on the line, do not typically feel a lot of love when they take the field. This was especially the case for four-year letterwinner and All-American Tom McCurdy '79.
In his freshman year, the Crusaders struggled and put up a 1-8 record, but what a turnaround Cap had once McCurdy became a regular on the defensive line. After giving up 211 points as a team in 1975, the 1976 campaign featured a defense that gave up just 58 points in nine games, good for an average of 6.4 points against per contest, and pitched five shutouts.
McCurdy began his career as a linebacker and was voted as Cap's most outstanding freshman performer on a team that was filled with first-year talent. He moved to the defensive line as a middle guard, which helped take his ability to a new level. Number 98 became immensely feared by opposing offensive lines and often targeted because of the disruption McCurdy caused on a regular basis. In his first year at his new position he was named an All-OAC selection for the first of three times in his career.
In 1976 and 1977, McCurdy led the Crusaders in total tackles, making 61 and 65, respectively. Then head coach Gene Slaughter predicted that with a solid senior season in 1978, McCurdy would become an All-American, and he predicted correctly. Through the first seven games of his senior season, he had 62 tackles with two games remaining and went on to surpass that high mark, as well. Of those 62 tackles, 14 were behind the line of scrimmage. He went on to become a three-time All-OAC selection and later earned All-America status.
Twice, Capital Football was nationally ranked with McCurdy on the field and in the four years that he played, CU went from being a 1-8 team to posting a 6-3 record in his senior season.
McCurdy graduated from Capital in 1979 with a bachelor's degree in accounting. He went on to garner his OWE/OWA certification from Kent State University in 1998. He taught and coached for 36 years at several different high school including his alma mater Fairfield Union, Hilliard Darby, Lancaster, Delphos St. John's, and Columbus St. Francis DeSales. At Fairfield Union, McCurdy served as head football coach for 25 years and was also the school's head baseball and wrestling coach at various times throughout his teaching career. He was later inducted into the Fairfield Union Athletic Hall of Fame.
He is married to Jackie McCurdy and together they have three children, Katie, Kelly and Kasey. He and his wife currently lives in his hometown of Lancaster, Ohio, where he is a tax associate for H&R Block.
