In the state of Alabama, football is king.

During the season, it dominates every day conversation. On the weekends, it changes plans and forces weddings to be rescheduled.

During the offseason, it dominates the airwaves on sports radio. In many ways, recruiting has become just as popular as the regular season and any information — even if it’s that Nick Saban participated in the Regions pro am golf tournament — makes headlines.

We’re in a state that can’t get enough football.

Luckily in Selma, we have one of the oldest quarterback clubs in the state.

The Selma Quarterback Club, founded in 1941, is the place for Alabama, Auburn and SEC fans to be during the regular season. Several times each month throughout football season, the club meets at the Selma Convention Center, where members eat a meal, listen to a knowledgeable speaker and talk football with friends and family.

As W. Forrest Hatfield, one of the club’s longtime members says, “the quarterback club is the best deal in town.” This year’s lineup is as good as any in recent years.

Former Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt, Auburn softball coach Clint Myers and ESPN recruiting analyst Tom Luginbill are all scheduled to speak. How many others places in the state are you going to get a chance to hear from anyone with the knowledge of those three guys? Many others, including former Troy coach Larry Blakeney and former Alabama quarterback Andrew Zow will also speak this year.

Obviously, the football and sports part of the quarterback club is part of what brings everyone together, but the club’s overall mission makes membership even more worthwhile.

Money that isn’t used on speakers or food is reserved for the club’s five scholarships, which go to area seniors. From the outside looking in, the scholarship committee does an admirable job of spreading the winners out to all area schools, while also making sure the top candidates are recognized.

The club’s first meeting is always held at Julius Talton’s River House on Plantation Drive. It’ll be held Aug. 29 of this year. Following that one, all the others will be held at the Selma Convention Center at 6 p.m.

We encourage anyone that considers themselves a football fan to give the club a look this year. Not only do members get to talk pigskin, but they also get to help local students earn a scholarship.

For more information on the club, email wfh63@bellsouth.net.