The kids aren’t the only ones gearing up for the upcoming football season. The Selma Quarterback Club has released its 2017 speaker schedule.

The football fan club opens the season with their kick-off meeting on Aug. 28, at Julius Talton’s river-side home, featuring John Longshore and Barry McKnight from the radio talk show, “Sportsline with Longshore and McKnight.”

After the kick-off, the club meets on Monday evenings at six o’clock in the convention center.

This years’ guest speakers include: former Crimson Tide and Green Bay Packers quarterback Scott Hunter; Rick Burgess and “Bubba” Bussey of the “Rick and Bubba Show”; sports writer Ron Higgins; University of Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne; former Auburn and Buffalo Bills running back Joe Cribbs; executive director of the Senior Bowl Phil Savage; and SEC associate chairman Charlie Hussey.

“I think one of the highlights of the year will be Rick and Bubba,” Hatfield said. “They are well-known radio personalities on the radio every morning, so I think a lot of people will relate to them. It was a special privilege that we were able to get them this year.”

The evening Burgess and Bussey address the club will actually be on a Tuesday, Sept. 19. The quarterback club has dubbed that Tuesday as “Ladies Night,” and Hatfield says the club has a surprise planned for that evening as well.

Finance chairman and club member, Forrest Hatfield said that the purpose of the Selma Quarterback club is, “fellowship, food and football.” He says the club provides an opportunity to fellowship with fellow football fans and build community spirit.’

Unlike other quarterback clubs, Hatfield says the Selma club is proud that it is also able to give back to its community as well.

“One of the things that we take a lot of pride in is our scholarship program,” he said.

When the club first started in 1941, they awarded one $250 scholarship.

Now they annually present five $4,000 scholarships to high school football players in the Selma/Dallas County area who plans on attending college.

“They don’t have to necessarily be a superstar,” he said. “But they have to be out there going through the process, and learning what football is all about.”

The Selma quarterback club is less than five weeks away from their kick-off event and invites anyone interested in fellowship over football to register. The cost of membership is $175, and it covers eight meals and access to the speakers.

“We are an open club,” Hatfield said. “Anyone is welcome to join.”