Berman, Arnie

Arnold L. Berman

A deadly free-throw shooter for Brown University, Berman was an All-Ivy League forward for three seasons during the early 1970s. He finished his career as Brown's all-time leading scorer with 1,668 points. In December, 2002, Earl Hunt finally passed Arnie as the school's leading scorer. Berman said, "I enjoyed the record for thirty years...It was nice to have it that long. But I�m happy for Earl...Candidly, I thought it would have been broken years earlier...especially because after I graduated, freshmen became eligible and the three-point shot came in."

Berman still holds ten school records, including the records for free throws made in a career (636), free throws made in a season (250, in 1971�72), and free throws made in a game (25 at Cornell in 1972). Gerry Alaimo, a former Brown player and Berman's coach at Brown, said, "Arnie had little innate talent. He was a self-manufactured player. I never experienced anyone who worked harder at getting better."

Berman was an NCAA Postgraduate Scholar in 1972, then became a lawyer and is currently the managing partner of the Florida-based law firm Shutts & Bowen.

Birth and Death Dates:
unknown

Career Highlights:
A 6'7" forward from New Jersey, Berman began his varsity career as a sophomore in 1970 (at that time, freshmen were not eligible to play on varsity teams). That year, he was named All-Ivy League honorable mention although Brown finished 3-11 in conference play, and 6-20 overall. The following season, Brown improved to 5-9 in conference (fifth place) and 10-15 overall. Berman was named All-Ivy League second team as the league's third leading scorer (21.6 points per game).

Berman's senior year in 1972 was the best of his career and one of the best seasons of any player in Brown history. Named All-Ivy League first team, All-New England, and All-East, Arnie averaged a school record 25.3 points per game during the regular season and was the Ivy League's second leading scorer in conference play with 24.7 points per game. That year, Brown finished 6-8 in conference play (10-16 overall). Berman graduated with 16 school records, 11 of which still stood at the beginning of the 2002�03 season.

Berman was selected by the Buffalo Braves in the fifth round of the 1972 NBA Draft. He went to rookie camp with the Braves, but injuries hobbled him during training camp and he was cut from the team. Berman said of the experience, "He [Braves coach Jack Ramsay, now an NBA analyst for ESPN] told me, 'Everything you do is wonderful, you just don�t do it quickly enough.'"

Origin:
Short Hills, New Jersey

Career Dates:
Berman played forward at Brown University from 1969-1972.

Physical description:
6'7", 217 pounds

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