When I received a cold call from Steve Arnold in July of 2025 and agreed to assist him in writing this autobiography, I had no idea what lay ahead. How hard could it be? I had been writing stories my entire adult life as a sportswriter, sports editor, managing editor, and editor-in-chief.
Since retiring from the newspaper industry with failing eyesight in 2004, I remained active, writing hundreds of short stories and commentaries on a variety of subjects. I had authored more than thirty novels across several genres. My first foray into the literary world, in fact, was a historical fiction account of the legendary WWII aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Saratoga. My father had helped repel Japanese aggression aboard the “Old Lady.” I used voluminous research, his memoirs, and those of dozens of other WWII vets, to create my first novel, “Sara: A Hero’s Story.”
After that, creating a manuscript from one voice would be easy, I thought.
The coach said he had already made one dozen or so audiotapes that recounted his life. All I had to do was listen, transcribe, and do what I do best — write, baby, write.
Boy, was I wrong.
There was more to this man than games children play. Steve Arnold was unlike any of the coaches who had crossed my path in the past. The Xs and Os of his life were amazing. Soon, I realized I had missed out on something very special when I left Warren, Ohio.
After more than two hundred audio recordings, too many text messages to count, and countless telephone conversations, I feel blessed that he chose me to share his story with others. Thanks to the wonders of electronics, we’ve grown to be friends while living hundreds of miles apart and never once setting tired eyes on each other.
As the end of our collaboration draws near, I pray that I have done justice in relating his remarkable tale for others to savor.
As I learned more about the man behind the manuscript, the title Born to Lead seemed appropriate. Many of Steve’s friends, associates, and former players agreed. The passion to guide and improve young lives seems to drive. Personality and sincerity allowed him to navigate easily between jobs, social dynamics, and racial barriers to become one of the longest tenured coaches in Warren history. Why else would someone work two full-time jobs for more than thirty years if not for the unfettered love of Warren and its young people? Make no mistake, coaching a major sport at one of Ohio’s most prestigious high schools requires more than eight hours a day and forty hours per week. Steve did that while working for thirty years as a full-time liquor control agent for the state of Ohio.
Steve Arnold is a remarkable guy whose life story stands as a testament. He will celebrate the launch of his memoir at the Warren G. Harding Cafetorium on May 30. The event begins at 11 a.m., followed by the sale of autographed copies of his BORN TO LEAD.
ORDER TODAY: BORN TO LEAD will be sold exclusively at Amazon in Kindle and paperback formats. You can order the eBook in advance today. It will be delivered automatically to your electronic reading device on May 30. Just click the following link: Amazon.com: Born to Lead: Trailblazer, Mentor & Life Coach eBook : Arnold, Steven, Guy, Gerald L.: Kindle Store