Scott Arnel is acknowledged as an individual who has defeated or surpassed all rivals in competition. He is also acclaimed as a person who fights for a cause on behalf of others. By either definition, Arnel is a true champion. The success he has enjoyed on the mat and promote and assist the wrestling community on Long Island and beyond. His contribution to the sport is synonymous with a Hall of Fame career.

Arnel wrestled for Westbury High School where he won the Nassau County Championship at 138 pounds and was named the 1978 Tournament Outstanding Wrestler. Arnel went on to captain the wrestling team at the University of Rhode Island where he won two Northeastern Championships. He continued to compete after graduating and in 1983, was a silver medalist at the Maccabiah Games.

Arnel became a successful equity trader and found a way to assist wrestlers by starting a summer internship program with the New York Mercantile Exchange. Hofstra University wrestlers Eric Schmiesing and Noel Thompson were the first participants. In 2002, a year after joining the Mercantile Exchange, Arnel co-founded the Long Island Wrestling Association (LIWA). The LIWA has sent over 500 disadvantaged youngsters to wrestling camp. Arnel was elected as president at the inception of the LIWA and he remains in that position today. The LIWA also runs a highly respected website where anyone can go to find wrestling information for all levels of amateur wrestling on Long Island. (www.longislandwrestling.org)

Arnel served as a youth coach in Syosset and Oyster Bay from 2000-2012. His efforts resulted in a premier Syosset youth program, which led to the resurgence of the Syosset High School wrestling team. New York State Champions Grant Green and Nick Arujau, along with numerous All-County wrestlers, were by-products of his youth program.

In March of 2015, Arnel provided his expertise to form the New York Metro Chapter of the Wrestlers in Business Network (WIBN). Arnel currently serves as co-chairman. The WBIN works to foster the growth of the wrestler-owned and operated businesses across the nation, by facilitating business development opportunities with each other and leveraging a talent-rich pipeline of wrestling alumni, while investing back into our sport.

Arnel has provided direct support for all aspects of wrestling to numerous high schools, colleges and organizations. He has set an example, at the highest level, with humility and integrity, exhibiting all the fine qualities that the sport of wrestling strives to instill in its participants.

Lori and Scott Arnel’s three sons, Andrew, Danny, and Ryan, are all Nassau County Wrestling Champions.

It is a privilege to welcome Scott Arnel into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.