Kutztown University Athletics

Larry Mertz (’83) was a linebacker for the Golden Bear football team from 1978-82, the most successful era in the program’s history. He played varsity for Kutztown during his final three years. He earned All-PSAC East first team honors in 1980 and 1981. He was an Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) All-Star and an AP Little All-America Honorable Mention as a senior. Mertz led the 1980 squad with a then school record 119 total tackles. The Golden Bears were seventh nationally in pass defense and 11th in scoring defense, and went on to win a share of the PSAC East title - the lone title in team history. As a senior, Mertz set the current school record for tackles in a season with 134. He finished his career as the school record holder in total tackles with 299, a record that stood until 1989.