VANDERBILT ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME – CLASS OF 2009
Jim Arnold (Football, 1979-82)
Punter Jim Arnold set the standard high for Commodore kicking specialists, becoming the first one to be named an All-American in 1982. His booming punts pinned opponents time and time again and were instrumental in evolving into an 8-3 season and 1982 Hall of Fame Bowl appearance his senior year. He set conference records in number of punts and punting yards before going on to a fine professional career.
- Star punter is only Vanderbilt football player to be named All-Conference all four years
- Made six All-America teams, including AP first team as a senior in 1982, averaging a then-record 45.8-yards per punt
- Led Commodores to No. 1 national ranking in net punting (42.1) in 1982
- Led SEC and was fifth in the nation in 1982 with 45.8 yard punting average
- Was second in SEC and fourth in the nation in 1980 with 44.2 yard average
- Set Vanderbilt freshman record with 41.9 yard average
- Overall, punted the ball 277 times for 12,171 yards in his career, setting SEC records in both categories
- Broke school single-game punting record with 53.1 yard average against North Carolina
- First Vanderbilt kicking specialist to receive All-America honors, also named First Team All-Conference three times
- Drafted by Kansas City Chiefs in 1983 and played in the NFL for 12 years
- Was named to the Pro Bowl after 1987 and 1988 seasons with the Detroit Lions
- Given the Golden Toe award for the NFL’s most outstanding punter or placekicker in 1987
- Nominated for Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999