2024 Luncheon Form

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Norman C. Van Arsdalen Passes

Norman C. Van Arsdalen: An Official and a Gentleman (and so much more)

Norman Charles Van Arsdalen, 96, of Princeton passed away on Friday March 29, 2024, at Brandywine Living in Haddonfield, NJ. Norman was born in Milltown, NJ to Isaac Voorhees Van Arsdalen and Marguerite Sohl, on August 19, 1927. He married the love of his life, Thelma Marie Svendsen (Teddie) on August 13, 1949, and they celebrated their 72’ wedding anniversary in August 2021 prior to her passing on January 7, 2022.

Norman graduated from New Brunswick High School June 21, 1945. Too young for military service, he joined the United States Maritime Service July 6, 1945, sailing on a coal-carrying steam ship to North Africa. After returning and taking a semester of college classes, he was drafted and inducted into the US Army: C Battery, 13th Field Artillery Battalion, 24th Division, on September 10, 1946. He received the World War II Victory Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal-Japan, and an Honorable Discharge. While serving, his swimming prowess placed hm on the Army All-Japan swim team.

After the Army, Norman returned to the Panzer College of Education and Hygiene receiving a Bachelor of Science in Education in August 1949. He married Teddie the next day. He was recognized later for Distinguished Professional Leadership with the Award of Honor from the Panzer Alumni Association of Montclair State College. He was hired by the Princeton Township School system as a Physical Education teacher for the 1949-1950 school year and retired from the Princeton Schools in 1989 after 40 years of continuous service and numerous roles. A Portrait feature in the Princeton Packet in 1965 suggested, “Ask for ‘Mr. Van”, They Know Who He Is,” noting that “the name not only refers to a teacher but is a mark of affection and respect.” He loved teaching Phys Ed; loved coaching soccer, basketball and baseball (and occasionally track, golf and softball); and he loved all the kids. During his tenure in the school system, he obtained a Master’s degree from Rutgers University and at times served not only as a teacher and coach but also as the Athletic Director and finally as a Vice-Principal in charge of discipline at Princeton high School. After his retirement, a Princeton Packet “Guest Column” authored by two former students, Richard C. Woodbridge and James W. Firestone, wrote that, “There aren’t many people who make a profound impression on a person’s life—but Mr. Van did.” They further noted that, “The most remarkable thing about Mr. Van is that he not only taught basic values, he lived them.” He had a deep and lasting impact on hundreds of students, many of whom returned after graduation just to see him and express their gratitude.

Many the world over know that Norm had a passion for sports and particularly a passion for officiating or refereeing football and basketball. Locally he concentrated on high school football for 35 years and nationally and internationally on collegiate level basketball for 33 years. He was known for fairness, integrity and impartiality by coaches and players alike. He was recognized by his peers for these same traits, as well as for excellent judgement and a complete understanding of the game, rising to the upper echelon of officials on and off the field and/or court.

Norms refereeing experience included many memorable events and opportunities. While refereeing the Thanksgiving Day rivalry between New Brunswick High School (his alma mater) and South River High School (his wife’s alma mater), his unsportsmanlike conduct call against the South River Band for blowing their horns while set up in the end-zone, after being warned not to do so as the New Brunswick team worked their way down field to that same end-zone, got national recognition, not to mention making for an interesting Thanksgiving dinner.

On the basketball court, Norman refereed in all the national tournaments and venues including the NCAA tournaments, the NIT and the Holiday Festival in Madison Square Garden, The Palestra, several conference finals and the Olympic Trials. In 1966, he accompanied the University of Kentucky under Adolph Rupp to Israel for the International University Basketball Championship. He had the honor of refereeing the Heidelberg, Germany team versus the Tel Aviv, Israel team, the first ever sporting event for a German team on Israeli soil. Other international opportunities included tournaments in Greece, Iran, El Salvador and Japan.

After putting away the striped shirts, he remained active in local and national sports associations including the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA), the New Jersey Football Officials Association (NJFOA), the Collegiate Basketball Officials Association (CBOA), and the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO). He served on many committees of these associations, as the rules interpreter, as a mechanics instructor, as an assigner and reviewer of officials and as President. He has received numerous awards and honors including induction into the Princeton High School Hall of Fame, the Mercer County Basketball Hall of Fame, the National High School Sports Hall of Fame and Life Membership in the Officials Club of the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame.

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Sam Schoenfeld Story

Click here to watch "Play it Again Sam: The Sam Schoenfeld Story" which highlights the life, legacy, and unique wizardry of Basketball legend, Sam Schoenfeld, who excelled as a player, coach, and Basketball official in the 1920's and 30's.