While playing for the Hilldale Club in 1918, Santop was drafted in July in Class 1-A. However, one month later, one newspaper reported that doctors at Camp Dix examined him and "found he had a broken and badly twisted arm." The report said he had an accident several years before and that "It made it impossible to handle a gun or salute properly." It went on to say he was discharged as physically unfit for service. Historians have said Santop served in the Navy.