[1] Born in New Rochelle, New York, Arnelle played football and basketball for Penn State University.

He played for the 1955-56 Pistons in 31 games, averaging 4.7 ppg and 5.5 rpg, before breaking his nose in February 1956, ending his rookie season.

[3] After professional basketball, Arnelle spent time in the United States Air Force and the Peace Corps.

He graduated from Dickinson Law School in 1962,[4] and in 1969 he moved to San Francisco and took the California bar exam.

[2] Once licensed to practice law in 1971,[5] Arnelle worked as a trial lawyer in the public defenders office.