In 1969, Trost earned NCAA Tournament Offensive MVP honors. Trost was also a two-time Hermann Trophy recipient as the collegiate player of the year in 1969 and 1970. Ironically, he was only selected as a first team All American in 1970.
Trost attended Saint Louis University where he led the Billikens to the 1969 and 1970 NCAA championships. In 1967, Trost's freshman year, St. Louis made it to the title game, which was ended due to weather with the score 0–0. St. Louis and Michigan State were declared co-champions that season.