Jesse Arnelle facts for kids

Hugh Jesse Arnelle (born December 30, 1933 – died October 21, 2020) was an American basketball player. After his sports career, he became a successful attorney.

Jesse Arnelle's Early Life and Sports Career

Jesse Arnelle was born in New Rochelle, New York. He was a talented athlete from a young age. He played both football and basketball at Penn State University.

Basketball Star at Penn State

Arnelle was especially good at basketball. He led the Penn State basketball team to the NCAA Final Four in 1954. This is a very big achievement in college basketball!

During that season, he was named an All-American. This means he was recognized as one of the best college basketball players in the country. He was also named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the East Regional tournament.

Jesse Arnelle finished his college basketball career as Penn State's all-time leading scorer. He had an amazing 2,138 points. He was also the all-time leading rebounder with 1,238 rebounds.

Playing in the NBA

After college, Jesse Arnelle had a choice between professional football and basketball. The Los Angeles Rams drafted him for football in 1955. However, he decided to play in the NBA instead.

The Fort Wayne Pistons picked him in the 1955 NBA draft. He played for the Pistons during the 1955-56 season. He played in 31 games, scoring about 4.7 points and getting 5.5 rebounds per game. His season ended early when he broke his nose in February 1956.

Life After Basketball: Law and Business

After his time in professional basketball, Jesse Arnelle served in the United States Air Force. He also worked with the Peace Corps, helping people in other countries.

Becoming a Lawyer

He then went to Dickinson Law School and graduated in 1962. In 1969, he moved to San Francisco. He passed the California bar exam in 1971.

Once he was a licensed lawyer, Arnelle worked as a trial lawyer. He worked in the public defenders office, helping people who could not afford a lawyer.

In 1987, Jesse Arnelle started his own law firm called Arnelle & Hastie. It later became Arnelle, Hastie, McGee, Willis and Green. He was the main partner until he retired from law in 1997. His firm was even named one of the top Black law firms in the country.

Working with Companies

Jesse Arnelle also served on the board of directors for many large companies. This means he helped guide these companies with important decisions. Some of the companies he worked with include URS Corp., Metropolitan Life, Textron Corporation, Eastman Chemical Company, Gannett Company, Waste Management, Inc, Armstrong World Industries, Wells Fargo, and Florida Power & Light.

Jesse Arnelle's Legacy at Penn State

Jesse Arnelle was a very important person at Penn State University. In 1955, he became Penn State's first Black student body president. This was a big step for the university.

He was elected to the university's Board of Trustees in 1969. He continued to serve Penn State in many ways throughout his life. He helped with different university groups and fundraising efforts. In 2000, he received the Lion's Paw award. This award is given to special alumni who have done great things for the university.

Jesse Arnelle passed away on October 21, 2020, at the age of 86. He is remembered for his achievements in sports, law, and his dedication to Penn State.

See also

In Spanish: Jesse Arnelle para niños

• List of NCAA Division I men's basketball players with 2000 points and 1000 rebounds