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Fort Dale Academy students and faculty gathered again on Wednesday to watch a standout student-athlete sign to continue their education and sports career at the collegiate level.

Senior Bailey Coker, seated beside her parents and cheered by her team mates, signed to Calhoun Community College in Decatur, Ala., to play softball.

FDA head softball coach Josh Ritter said Coker has been an invaluable member of the FDA softball team.

“Bailey has been a great leader and has worked very hard [for the FDA team],” Ritter explained, “she is a competitor and will give [Calhoun] 100 percent all the time.”

Coker said the competitive level of softball at Calhoun buoyed her decision to accept the school’s offer.

“[Calhoun] is a really good school and they taught me a little more about catching than what I knew. I practiced with their team and they have a really good system there,” Coker said.

“I had cousin that really wanted to play but he never got to,” Coker explained, “so I thought I could carry that on since he didn’t get the opportunity.”

Coker said she is interested in improving her hitting skills at the collegiate level, and that Calhoun offers the tools to improve in that area.

Ritter emphasized that Coker will offer as much to Calhoun as the school will offer to her.

“Due to her work ethic, I think she will be successful at a collegiate level. She is a coachable player and will do what is asked of her by the college coaches,” Ritter said, “which in return will make her successful as a college player. She will offer Calhoun hard work, dedication and [will be] an unselfish, team player.”