Kean University

Paul Mertz was a major contributor to Kean football, starring at defensive back from 1979 to 1982. He is the program's single-season standard bearer for interceptions in a season, with nine, and for a career, with 17. In 1980, Mertz led the team with four interceptions, including one for a touchdown, against conference rival Montclair State University. He also contributed 34 tackles, including11 solo stops.

In 1981, Mertz finished third in the NCAA in interceptions, with nine, and led the nation in interception-return yardage, with 125. He also tied a school record that year with three interceptions in a Homecoming Day victory over New Jersey City University. For his efforts, Mertz was named second-team All-Conference in 1981.

Mertz graduated from Kean in 1983 with a degree in Public Administration/Criminal Justice. At the time of his passing in September of 2009 he was the executive director of the Newark Beth Israel Medical Center.