The Times Free Press sports department was recognized in several categories at the annual Tennessee Sports Writers Association awards. The Times Free Press won first place for the state's best daily section and second place for best special section for its football preview edition.
Assistant sports editor Stephen Hargis won first place for best prep writer and received second-place awards for feature writing and investigative writing. Stacey McCray won first place for best designer and Jamie Poole was second in the same category, while University of Tennessee beat writer Patrick Brown was the runner-up for best event writer.