He was an All-American college player at Stanford University and played professionally in the American National Basketball League (NBL).

Stoefen, a 6'5" center-forward, played college basketball alongside future Hall of Fame forward Hank Luisetti in the late thirties.

As a senior in 1937–38, Stoefen was named first-team All-Pacific Coast Conference and a second-team All-American by Madison Square Garden.

[1] Following his college career, Stoefen played for the integrated Los Angeles Red Devils team with future baseball hall of famer Jackie Robinson in 1946–47.

[4] Arthur was born in Iowa, but moved to California in his youth and he excelled athletically at Los Angeles High School.