But when Oklahoma A&M played a game at Saint Louis University, A&M coach Henry Iba invited Kurland to dinner and offered him a scholarship.

[4] In the 1945–46 season, he scored a then-season record 643 points, including 58 in a game against Saint Louis University, which featured 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) freshman Ed Macauley.

[5] The rivalry between him and De Paul's George Mikan would foreshadow similar matchups, especially those of basketball's "big men."

He became a salesman for Phillips Petroleum Company, where he played AAU basketball, and later served as a senior marketing executive.

He held a variety of positions, including ones responsible for the development of the self-service gas station concept, growth of the agricultural and plastics divisions, and management of marketing initiatives.

Ultimately, the family returned to the home of Phillips Petroleum, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, where Kurland served as vice mayor and as a member of the city commission for several years.

[9] After retirement, Kurland and his wife, Barbara, divided time between their homes in Bartlesville, Oklahoma and Sanibel Island, Florida.