Rutgers University Athletics

The recipient of the David Bender Trophy twice as the team's leading lineman, Root was named the senior athlete of the year in 1950 and was presented with the Donald Leslie Coursen Award. An honorable mention All-East selection in 1950, Root played in the 1950 North-South Shrine game. Considered one of the nation's top centers after beginning his career as a running back, Root was also a top-notch linebacker. He served as president of the Class of 1950 and captained the 1950 squad.