Indiana University Athletics
Five-Minute Donor Profile: Bob Arnold
7/22/2011 12:00:00 AM | Varsity Club
July 22, 2011
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Varsity Club is made up of 7,000 dedicated alumni, former student-athletes and IU fans. Each of you has a unique story that describes your IU experience and why you support IU Athletics. We're pleased to present this new series to give you a behind-the-scenes look at some of the people who make the Varsity Club a success.
Bob Arnold has been a Varsity Club donor for more than 40 years. He attended IU in the 1950's earning a bachelor's degree in business in 1954. He returned for law school and graduated in 1966. His experience at IU was not unlike many Hoosiers, but his passion for IU Football is unrivaled.
Following his retirement from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Indiana in 1988, Arnold authored three books about IU football teams. His most recent book is entitled, "A Team of Destiny: The Unforgettable Story of Indiana's 1967 Big Ten Championship Season And the Rose Bowl of 1968."
Q: Where are you from originally?
A: I was born and raised in Indianapolis. My mother was a staff nurse at St. Vincent hospital.
Q: What brought you to Indiana University in the 1950's/1960's? Why did you choose IU?
A: What defines a sports star? Try me. From 1946 (age 14) to the present, following Indiana University wasn't difficult. I'd been taken to Bloomington by my Dad on many Saturdays and before long IU was my team.
Q: Are there any special IU Athletics moments that you recall fondly while you were in school at IU?
A: As you might expect, I didn't miss many games. Most memorable: The Hoosiers' championship football season in 1945 and the Indiana Hurryin' Hoosiers basketball squad of 1953 winning the National Championship while I was an undergraduate.
Q: What can you tell me about your most recent book, "A Team of Destiny"? Why did you think it was important to chronicle the '67-'68 Rose Bowl team?
A: In 1967, an Indiana football team awoke from a 2-year sleep and surprised the nation by tying for the conference championship and playing in the prestigious Rose Bowl. Three "Super Sophs" led Indiana during the season in a story that is as exciting as any in the school's history.
Q: Why do you support the IU Varsity Club? What does it mean to you to be a donor to IU Athletics?
A: During my undergrad days, I believe the Varsity Club was formed with altruistic objectives. One year not long ago I made (for me) a sizable donation and I had the opportunity to converse with former IU football standout and current Varsity Club Assistant Director for Development Anthony Thompson. That brief interlude convinced me of the benefits and advantages of the Varsity Club.
Q: Who are your favorite football players?
A: Harry Gonso and George Taliaferro.
You can find more information on Arnold's books on Amazon:
- Hoosier Autumn: The Remarkable Story of Indiana University's 1945 Football Championship Team
- The Rivalry: Indiana and Purdue and the History of their Old Oaken Bucket Battles 1925 - 2007
- A Team of Destiny: The Unforgettable Story of Indiana's 1967 Big Ten Championship Season And the Rose Bowl of 1968
