FAYETTEVILLE, Ala. – Fayetteville High School senior Alex Barrett signed his fishing scholarship with the University of North Alabama on Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 26, marking the culmination of years of dedication to the sport he has loved since childhood.
Barrett, who has been fishing competitively since the fifth grade, said the signing was a special moment in his journey.
“I put in a lot of time and effort fishing in tournaments, and it all helped me get to where I am today,” Barrett said.
The University of North Alabama stood out among multiple offers, with Barrett citing the school’s proximity to Lake Pickwick and the Tennessee River as a major contributing factor in his decision. “UNA is just two minutes away from the lake, so it’s the perfect spot to practice all the time,” he said.
Barrett considered offers from several schools, including Emmanuel University in Georgia and Webber International University in Florida, but ultimately felt most at home in Florence.
Initially, he had aspirations to attend Auburn University, but changed course after taking his visit there.
“I always wanted to go to Auburn, but after touring the campus and meeting with their fishing team, I realized it just wasn’t the right fit,” Barrett said. “UNA was one of the first schools to reach out to me my freshman year, and it just felt right.”
Barrett plans to major in Occupational Health Science at UNA while continuing to compete at a high level in collegiate fishing.
Alex credited many people including his parents, Tanya and Daniel Barrett, his younger brother, Bowen, and Larry Perrin, the Executive Director of the National Scouting Report, as major support systems and mentors throughout his fishing journey.
Looking ahead, Barrett will compete in the upcoming Bassmaster Open High School Edition tournament at Smith Lake as he aims to qualify for nationals before concluding his high school career.
Reflecting on his journey, Barrett encouraged younger anglers to pursue their passion.
“Fishing is something you really have to love doing,” he said. “Every little detail helps, and if you work hard, opportunities like this can happen.”
