Meritorious Service, Class of 2009

Ed Arnold’s relationship with Santa Ana College began in 1960 when Dons football coach Homer Beatty spoke at the Marine Corp’s football team banquet. Arnold, a member of the football team, was in the audience. Arnold enrolled at Santa Ana College and was a member of the Dons 1961 Eastern Conference Championship team.

Arnold transferred from SAC to California State University Long Beach where he earned his bachelor’s degree in speech with a radio/TV/film emphasis.

After working at several Los Angeles and Orange County radio stations, Arnold joined KTLA in the late 60’s as an announcer and later sportscaster until 1975. He then became a member of KABC-TV’s “Eyewitness News” team until 1986. While at ABC, Ed was also the voice of public television station KCET. During this same period, he was a sports personality for radio stations KRLA, KHTZ, and in 1986 and 1987, for KMPC. In mid-1986, Ed Arnold returned to KTLA where he remained until July 1, 1999.

Arnold has gone on to work with several charities and foundations including the Santa Ana College Foundation serving as the president and chairman. Arnold is also a member of the Santa Ana College Athletic Hall of Fame executive committee that helps raise money for the growth and development of the Athletic Hall of Fame as well as scholarships for student athletes.

Arnold serves as the master of ceremonies at both the golf tournament and the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. The golf tournament, originally known as the Santa Ana College Athletic Hall of Fame Golf Classic was renamed the Ed Arnold Golf Classic in 2003 in honor of the work that Arnold has done for SAC athletics. Arnold was selected as a SAC Distinguished Alumni and inducted into the Santa Ana College Alumni Hall of Fame in 1980.

He is married to Dixie Arnold; together they have one son, Dean and two grandchildren, Jacob and Luke.