Built a 40-0 record as an amateur boxer during World War 1, then turned professional, meeting many of the great fighters of his time. Defeated Willie Jackson shortly before Jackson KOed Johnny Dundee. Also defeated English Featherweight champion Joey Fox. In 1920 he met Johnny Kilbane for the featherweight title in a memorable match staged at League Park. With more than 14,000 fans looking on, Root staggered Kilbane in the fourth round, but Kilbane rallied to win a decision. It was Root’s last fight.
A rugged lightweight who came out of Cleveland’s “Little Italy” to face some of the finest fighters of his era. Among those he fought were three world champions: Tony Canzonneri, Barney Ross and Jimmy McLaren. He defeated Mclaren, the former lightweight champion, in a match in Los Angeles on March 17, 1926.
Won eight Ohio AAU Open Championships between 1946 and 1954, including the all-around title in 1954. Active as a member of the American Turners for over 40 years and served as a member of the Lake Erie AAU Gymnastics Committee for ten years. Coached many Junior Olympic all-around champions in the Cleveland area after her retirement as an active competitor.
Began his career at Cleveland East Tech High where he was a three-time state tumbling champion (1933-34-35). All-American gymnast at the University of Illinois where he became the first gymnastics athlete ever to win seven NCAA championships. Also won National AAU Tumbling Championships in 1938, 1939 and 1940. Went on to coach and judge gymnastics at high school, college and national levels until his retirement in 1975. Enshrined in the National Association of Gymnastics Coaches section of the Helms Hall of Fame in 1966.
Qualified for U.S. Olympic Trials in 1968 and later fenced in Pre-Olympic Tournament in Montreal in 1975. Since beginning her fencing career in 1959 she has won the Northern Ohio Championship, two All-Ohio championships, two Gilman Tournament titles and four Cleveland International Invitational Tournament championships. She won a total of 38 major events and 95 awards in major championships through 1980.
Member of the United States Olympic Fencing Squad in 1964. During a 12-year fencing career, spanning the era from 1954 to 1966, he won 20 championships in three weapons and accumulated 140 awards. Named “Outstanding Fencer of the Year” in the 1964 Cleveland Invitational Fencing Tournament after accumulating 257 point in foil, sabre and epee. Won five All-Ohio titles, two each in epee and sabre and one in foil.
A two-time National Decathlon champion (1938 and 1939) at Western Reserve University, he was a dominate figure in track during the heyday of the old Cleveland collegiate “Big Four.” Averaged approximately 30 points per meet during his college career which came to an end in 1940, scoring in the high and broad jumps, pole vault, sprints, hurdles and discus. An all-around athlete who competed in four other sports at WRU, he was twice named the Cleveland AAU’s Outstanding Athlete.
An Ohio high school wrestling champion at Shaker Heights High in 1953, he went on to win four Ohio AAU championships and gold medals (in free style) in the 1953 and 1957 Maccabiah Games in Israel. Coached the U.S. Maccabiah teams in 1961, 1965, and 1973, was named Ohio AAU Coach of the Year in 1965, served as a member of the National AAU Wrestling Committee for three years and as a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee from 1972-76. Inducted into the Ohio Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1977.
After starring for Ohio State University and twice winning the Ohio Publinks Championship (1961 and 1962) he embarked upon a professional golfing career which netted him over $1,500,000 in winnings. Finished third among top money winners on the pro tour in 1968, 1973 and 1975. Among his major victories are the 1973 British Open Championships and victories in the 1973 South African PGA Championship. Also played for the 1973 and 1975 Ryder Cup teams and the 1972 U.S. World Cup Team.
All all-scholastic football start at Shaw High School, he went on to play his college football at Purdue University where he became an All-American tackle. His feats on the gridiron earned him a niche in the National Football Hall of fame in New York. Later became a prominent high school and college referee in both football and basketball, officiating for over 30 years.