Going into the active service, he trained at Newport, Rhode Island and served at State Pier in New London, Connecticut until he was sent to Brown University to study for a commission.
[7] He paid his way through college working at odd jobs at everything from construction to crewing on a fruit boat to Costa Rica.
[5][8] Shurtleff wrote a little book of original verse while still a student at Brown University and sold 2,000 copies in 1922-23.
[8] He was a professional football player for seven years, seeing action with the New York Giants, Providence Steamroller and Boston Bulldogs.
Charleston Bound, a novel about Rhode Islanders in the American Revolution, was also published by Hurst and Blackett under the pen name, S. B.
[5][10] In addition to teaching and coaching, Shurtleff lectured widely at high schools, civic clubs and other groups on the fakery in professional wrestling.