Contributed Ryan Rogers signs with Bluefield State College. Pictured left to right are (first row): father Lee Rogers, Ryan Rogers, mother Kim Rogers, (back row): principal Jean Howard, Glen Jackson, president of Southeastern Athletics, Inc., and Lawrence County head coach Jason Goodwin.

MOULTON — Ryan Rogers, a recent graduate of Lawrence County High School, signed with Bluefield State College in  Bluefield, W.Va.

Despite being a LCHS grad, Rogers has sevreal ties to Russellville. Both sets of his grandparents live in Russellville, and Glen Jackson of Southeastern Athletics, Inc., helped get him signed with Bluefield State.

His uncle Kurt Rogers and grandfather Gerald Rogers played sports at Russellville.

How long have you been playing baseball?

“I have been playing baseball since tee ball, so since I was about five years old.”

What is it that you like about baseball?

“I love the competition. It’s just a different game. It’s not like other sports. If you can’t run, throw, hit and catch then you can’t play at a competitive level.

I’ve always liked it. I like to hit, when I’m one on one with the pitcher. I play center field. I love chasing down a fly ball or making a diving catch in the outfield.

I think that’s as good a feeling as hitting a home run. I’ve always loved it since I was young and playing in my grandparents’ yard.”

What made you decide on Bluefield State?

“They were a good fit. They gave me full tuition. I only have to pay for room and books.

They gave me more money than anyone else offered. It was a good fit for the time being.

They told me I could compete for a starting position in the outfield. With the opportunity to play right away and the money they offered me, I felt like it was a good fit.”

What will you major in while at Bluefield Sate?

“I plan on majoring in Mechanical Engineering. My dad is an engineer, and I’ve always been good at figuring out how stuff works and solving a problem.

Math is my favorite subject, and those three are essentially engineering. I think that will be a good fit for me for my career.”

What are your plans for after graduation?

“After I graduate college if I’m done with baseball and can’t go any further in that, I’m looking at joining the Marine Corps., then going into the officer program.

If I don’t do that I hope I find a good job right out of college and probably move back and live in Alabama.”

What made you look into joining the Marine Corps.?

“I’ve always had a passion for our country. My uncle and my cousin have both served overseas, and I feel like it would be a great honor to serve my country.

It’s something I’ve always been interested in.”

How did you meet Glen Jackson?

“He contacted us, but our family knows him. My family is originally from Russellville. Both sets of my grandparents live in Russellville.

He knows both sets of my grandparents, and we got in touch with my junior year and I signed with him my senior year.”

How did you end up at Lawrence County with so many ties to Russellville?

“My dad did work in Decatur. We lived in Russellville for a short time when I was young, but when he got a job in Decatur we ended up moving to Moulton because it was kind of in the middle between where my family lives in Russellville and his work in Decatur.

He now works at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville.”