Kurt Kampe was a 1971 Defiance High School graduate where he participated in basketball, track and football at a time when there were no leagure honors to be won with Defiance an independent school prior to joining the Western Buckeye League. Kurt earned nine varsity letters, four in track, three in basketball and two in football.

In track, Kurt competed in the 220, 440, long jump and relays. He ran a leg on the then school-record setting 440-yard relay as a junior and was a district qualifier in the long jump as a senior, the only Defiance athlete to advance to districts in Division I that year with state powers Libbey and DeVilbiss in the field. Only the top two placers in each event at districts advanced to state at the time, with Kurt placing third in the 440 behind the defending state champion and a Toledo Scott teammate. 

In football, Kurt earned honorable mention all-state honors as a running back in 1970 despite playing in only seven games before his season was cut short with an injury. He ran for 800 yards, scored 88 points with 14 touchdowns, inlcuding four in one game. His 7.3 yards per carry is second all-time in school history for season behind Hall of Famer Gene Baldwin's 7.36 in 1953. Defiance finished 6-4 his senior year, the last DHS winning season until 1981.

Kampe went on to play football at the University of Michigan, lettering for two years. He was a running back when he first attended Michigan but was moved to defensive back where he tied for the team lead in interceptions as a senior. He also played on special teams for the Wolverines.

Kurt received his B.A. Degree from The University of Michigan, with distinction, and his J.D. Degree from Pepperdine University School of Law. Kurt was admitted to the California Bar and entered private practice in Southern California; initially with the oldest and largest law firm in the San Fernando Valley. In 1990 he cofounded Kampe and Hendrickson and was the managing and senior partner. In 2002, Kurt founded his own law practice in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Kurt, whose brother Greg was inducted into the Defiance High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999, continued his athletic participation well after graduating from Michigan. He was coached and officiated at various levels in baseball, softball, basketball, track and field and soccer. As a soccer referee, he is a referee instructor for three soccer organizations; including The United States Soccer Federation and Cal South. In 2013, he helped form and was a founding board member of a non-profit organization providing education and athletic oppurtunities for disadvantaged youth.

Kurt is married and has four children.