Stephen has covered local sports in the tri-state area for more than 20 years, starting at the News-Free Press as a 19-year-old reporter. He has been with the Times Free Press since its inception and has been an assistant sports editor since 2005. Stephen is among the most decorated writers in the TFP’s newsroom, winning numerous state, regional and national writing awards. He was named one of the top 10 sports writers in the nation at the Associated Press Sports Editors’ conference in Kissimmee Fla. in 2012, and won second-place at the 2012 Society of Professional Journalists awards, where his work was recognized for its high standards of ethical journalism. He also has an Associated Press national award for his season-long story following the Taft Youth Center football team.
Stephen was named Tennessee's Sports Writer of the Year for 2011 as well as being named the state’s Prep Writer of the Year. Stephen has been named the state’s top prep writer 15 times and has won 14 other state awards ranging from Best Investigative Writer to Best Feature Writer. He has also won the prestigious Lawrenceburg Quarterback Club’s Sports Writer of the Year and the TSSAA’s Sportsmanship Award for Contributor of the Year in the state.
Stephen has two children, Riley and Lauren, and lives in South Pittsburg.
Contact Stephen at 423-757-6293 or shargis@timesfreepress.com.
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