Cale Fulps spent eight years on the Tahlequah campus, four as backup quarterback studying for a bachelor's in biology and four obtaining his doctorate of optometry. Although Fulps never started a game he was a key member of the field goal unit as the holder. Additionally, he threw a touchdown pass at North Dakota in the 2010 season.
In the fifth installment of "catching up with the Northeastern State family" we highlight a conversation with Cale Fulps.
How did Northeastern State and our football team help you get started as a young man?
I had always wanted to go into something in the medical field growing up and maybe be a doctor. I didn't really know what avenue and didn't want to always be on call. I was getting recruited by NSU football and decided to commit. Once I started looking at programs, optometry sparked an interest so I shadowed a few in high school and decided it was something I could see myself doing. I went to NSU to play football, but ended up finding a career out of it.
What stands out to you as the most important thing you learned at NSU?
I really enjoyed Tahlequah because I came from a really big high school (Broken Arrow HS) and NSU wasn't a ton bigger than my high school. It was a very homey feel. I learned how to prioritize my time and work hard because it's difficult to be a biology major and play football at the same time. Plus, I was in the president's leadership class so I was really involved. I was a busy, busy guy back then.
Does a best moment stand out to you?
We played Tarleton State in the first year I could suit up and travel. I was a holder on the field goal team and we went down there where they were ranked in at least the top-25. We score first and I'm the holder in the swinging gate formation. I'm in shotgun and all the linemen are to the left. We had this two-point conversion play where Coach Kenny Evans basically said he trusted me to call whatever I wanted. I called for a two-point try on our first time to ever score that season and we converted it. Nick Whitlow, our fullback, was a wing on the field goal team so I sent him in motion to run an out route. I then rolled to the right and threw it. I'll always remember that moment and be thankful he trusted me to call my own shot, it paid off. I was 150 pounds and 5-foot 9-inches so when I got up there these two huge linebackers said "I dare you to run it." After we converted I kind of laughed at them walking back to the sideline.
What piece of advice would you offer to current student-athletes?
Sometimes guys thought they were going to go to the NFL, but the reality is that doesn't happen a whole lot out of NSU and only a few made the practice squads. They need to realize that they're going to be done playing football at some point so put yourself in a position where you'll be ready for whatever is next. I viewed football as a job and a way to pay for college where I was bettering myself. Yes, football is important, but the majority of your life is not going to be related to it, so use that time to prepare yourself for the next chapter.
Can you walk us through your career path?
I chose not to do a residency and started working for a doctor in Claremore right out of school as an associate, then I purchased a practice in Broken Arrow a year later. After that, I had an opportunity to merge with another clinic. As of now I'm co-owner of a larger clinic, The Eye Center of South Tulsa and Okmulgee.
Where do you currently reside?
I live in Broken Arrow with my wife Talor, who I married in optometry school, and a son, Cade, who is one year old.
