Curcillo was the starting quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes football team in 1950 and 1951 and played linebacker, tailback, and center in 1952.

After graduating from Ohio State University with a bachelor in social administration in 1954, he became a second lieutenant and reported to Fort Sheridan, Illinois in June of that year.

[1] He was subsequently stationed at Fort Carson, where he played quarterback for the base football team in 1954 and 1955.

On December 12, 1954, he played in the first Service Bowl against Hamilton Air Force Base.

When Bernie Faloney joined the Tiger-Cats in 1957, Curcillo became an all-star linebacker while also serving as the team's backup quarterback.