A legend of college baseball will speak at Thorsby High School on Feb. 7.

Ron Polk, known as “the Father of SEC baseball,” will be the featured attraction at a banquet beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 7.

“We’ve got a lot of people throughout the county that are into the game of baseball,” said Thorsby coach Ab Argent, who is organizing the event. “What are the chances, No. 1, of Ron Polk coming to Chilton County, and then to have the chance to come out and listen to him.”

Polk was inducted to the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009. He won 1,373 games in 35 seasons as a head coach, with 1,139 of those wins coming in 29 seasons at Mississippi State University.

Currently serving as an assistant coach at UAB, Polk ranks eighth on the list of all-time wins among college coaches, and his teams have won five Southeastern Conference championships, made 23 NCAA tournament appearances and have reached the College World Series nine times.

Polk said the stop at Thorsby is one of 28 he will make in January-February 2012.

“It’s a lot of entertainment,” he said. “I use stories from past ballclubs. I try not to bore anybody. I’ll give a message that I hope they will receive very well.”

The banquet will include a meal from 5:30-6:45 p.m. in the school cafeteria and then Polk’s speech in the auditorium.

Tickets will be sold for $10 for those wishing to partake in the meal and the speech. Argent said the money will be used to pay for the food and to present Polk with a gift for his time.

Those wishing only to hear Polk should arrive at the auditorium by 7 p.m. and would pay $5 for admittance.

For more information, call Argent at (205) 955-1003. Tickets should be available soon at the school.

“It’s just a great opportunity for people throughout the county, not just Thorsby people,” Argent said. “We encourage any dads to come out and bring your kids. Everyone is welcome to come.”