1995 Greater Flint African American Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
Category: Multiple Sports
Arden’s family moved to Flint when he was three years old. He attended Roosevelt Elementary, Emerson Jr. High and Flint Northern High. While at Flint Northern, Arden ran track and played halfback.
In 1955 Arden scored four touchdowns and gained 421 yards rushing, an average of eight yards a carry. He played on a Flint Northern team that had a great backfield. With three great Northern stars, Sharp, Gaines, and quarterback Waters, Arden had to work hard to make coaches, the opposition and fans take notice of him. Arden led his team in scoring for the season with 75 points. Arden scored eight touchdowns, 24 extra points and one field goal. He was selected All City, All Valley and All-State. Arden won the Valley scoring title, 52 points. He was also Michigan All Prep Classes All State. Flint Northern was undefeated City, Valley and State Football Champions in 1956. In two years, Arden rushed for 959 yards, scored 12 touchdowns with an average gain of 10.9 yards.
In track, Arden was a member of the 1955 State medley relay champions-time, 2:21.7 seconds. In 1956 he had a shot put of 50 feet 2 1/2 inches.
After graduation in 1957, Arden attended Michigan State University.
