Born in Randolph, Massachusetts, Arena attended Milton Academy before heading off to Amherst College as a student.
At Amherst, he was a four-year member of both the men's ice hockey and baseball teams (1979–1983).
Arena was hired as head coach for the ice hockey team immediately following his senior year.
Arena still stands tied for fourth on Amherst's all-time scoring list.
[2] Arena now resides on the campus of the Northfield Mount Hermon School, where he lives with his wife, Diane, and his four children, Emily, Patrick, John and Ellen.