Hall of Fame
Eddie Choate was a four-year starter at tight end at Southern Arkansas University from 1971-1974. The Muleriders were Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference (AIC) co-champions in 1972, while leading the nation (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) in rushing. Choate was co-captain for the 1974 team.
Choate was selected as a Second-Team NAIA All-American in ‘74. The senior from Little Rock was also First Team All-AIC, and NAIA District 17 in 1973 and 1974. He played as a freshman when he was only 16, turning 17 in late November.
During his four years as a Mulerider, he only missed one play. In his freshman season, he ran into the goal post at Austin College in Sherman, Tex., in pursuit of a pass. An official called a time out to see if he was injured, forcing him to miss the next play. Somewhat stunned, he was okay, and returned to the field to next play to finish the game.
After graduating in 1975 with a degree in business, Choate is now a business executive, the president and CEO of Delta Dental in Sherwood, a position he has held since 2000. Eddie has numerous honors. He was chosen the 2006 Arkansas Business Executive of the Year, was a 2007 SAU Distinguished Alumni selection, 2008 SAU Executive in Residence, and the 2010 Rotarian of the Year in Little Rock.
After playing for Coach Sam Goodwin, who later became head coach at SAU, at Parkview High School in Little Rock, Choate said “I will forever be in debt to SAU) coaches Rip Powell and Calvin Neal for recruiting a 16-year old boy and believing he had a chance to play college football. I also appreciate Coach Eldon Hawley teaching me (the hard way) that you must consistently give your best effort to reach your potential.”
Choate’s wife, the former Marilyn Edwards of Norphlet, was the Homecoming Queen at SAU in 1974. The couple have been married 34 years, and have two children, son David, who is engaged to marry Katie Kirkpatrick, and daughter Lauren Spiridigliozzi, who is married to A.J., and a grandson, Noah, five.
