Student athletes all over Marengo County will sign their National Letters of Intent on Feb. 7 for the 9th Annual National Signing Day at Batter Up Sports Ball and Grill from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Batter Up will treat signees and their families to a free lunch from 11 a.m. to noon, and ESPN 104.9 will broadcast the event starting at noon, which is open to the public. Students signing their letters will go on the air to talk about their college choice and accomplishments.

“In some years past, we’ve had people standing up eating,” said Jason Windham, owner of Batter Up and sponsor of the event.

About three years ago, National Signing Day was opened to all student athletes, not just football players, which was met with positive feedback. Each year, at least six students sign their National Letters of Intent, with some years seeing 20 students sign.

“We want the kids to get noticed for their accomplishments,” Windham said.

The Anthony Robinson Player of the Year Award will also be awarded on National Signing Day. The award was renamed to honor the first recipient, Anthony Robinson, who signed with the University of West Alabama but lost his life in a car accident in 2013.

The event is part of the ESPN 104.9 Coaches Show, a 10-week event sponsored by the West Alabama Watchman, ESPN 104.9 and Batter Up. Each week, a different coach would go on the radio and talk about their team. Ten percent of the proceeds of each week for the show are also donated to a different recipient.

Windham said that the public support for the athletes means a lot to the students as they sign their letters.

“For some of those kids, it’s probably one of the biggest days of their lives.”

(This article originally appeared in the Saturday, February 3 issue of the Demopolis Times.)