Jonathan Choate '60

COACH 1964–2016

A legendary athlete and coach, Choatie played varsity football, hockey, and baseball for three years at Groton and was captain of the hockey team. His hockey career began when, as a six-foot Second Former, he was cut from the basketball team and friends urged him to come across the street to skate. He continued hockey at Colby College, playing freshman hockey then spending three years on the varsity team. He was a stalwart member of Colby’s 1962 team, one of the best in the college’s history.

In 1964, Choatie began his legendary coaching career as Groton, spending three years as the JV hockey coach. After a year coaching Bowdoin College’s freshman team, he returned to Groton and went on to spend twelve years as head coach for boys varsity hockey and another twenty-three years as assistant coach. He then coached girls varsity hockey for five years, guiding an undefeated team in 1983. In addition, Choatie was an invaluable assistant coach of the varsity football team for twenty-four years. In 1993, the Massachusetts Football Association honored him with the Assistant Coach of the Year Award.

A gifted teacher, Choatie approached coaching as an opportunity to help students develop their skills, self-confidence, and enduring values—while experiencing the joy of the athletic experience.
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