Gene Henley

Gene has covered sports in the Chattanooga area since 2008 and has ascended from covering preps to colleges in his time. He primarily covers UTC athletics, a job he's held from 2013-18 and again since 2020, having spent two seasons covering Tennessee pre-pandemic. Gene played four seasons of college basketball and has a 20-year son named Judah who plays at Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Missouri.

Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com.

Baylor girls, McCallie back in tennis state title matches

by Gene Henley ·May 23, 2023

Helen Guerry remembers hitting tennis balls with Samantha Caswell as a young kid growing up around the Baylor tennis community.

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Baylor co-head coach Ned Caswell gives directions to Amelia Ohlsson, left, and Sloane Proffitt, before their doubles match against Hutchison. TSSAA tennis was played at the Adams Tennis Center in Murfreesboro on May 23, 2023.

Patriots, Eagles, Hurricanes all fall in state soccer tournament

by Gene Henley ·May 23, 2023

Asked to describe his Arts & Sciences soccer team after its 3-1 loss to Gatlinburg-Pittman Tuesday in the Class A soccer quarterfinals, Wes Castle needed only a moment before spitting out the word, "Grit."

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / East Hamilton's Dawson Bovell (23) controls the ball against a Valor Prep player. TSSAA soccer was played at the Richard Siegel Soccer Park in Murfreesboro on May 23, 2023.

UTC golf star Dorota Zalewska enters NCAA title bid relaxed, optimistic

by Gene Henley ·May 18, 2023

Dorota Zalewska needed a mental break.

Photo by Tim Cowie / UTC women's golf coach Colette Murray, left, high-fives star player Dorota Zalewska during the first day of an NCAA regional on May 8 in Raleigh, N.C. Zalewska, who is from Poland and is wrapping up her final season with the Mocs at the national championship tournament, recently graduated with a degree in exercise science.

UTC men qualify for NCAA golf title tourney with third-place finish at Auburn Regional

by Gene Henley ·May 17, 2023

Blaine Woodruff always felt like he had something brewing with his first UTC men's golf team.

UTC photo by Laura O'Dell / The UTC men's golf team finished third Wednesday at the Auburn Regional to reach the upcoming NCAA championship tournament. From left are assistant coach Nick Robinson, golfers Braedon Wear, Samuel Espinosa, Paul Conroy, Garrett Engle, John Houk and Alex Cobb and head coach Blaine Woodruff.

Former South Pittsburg Pirates star Kelly returning closer to home to join Mocs football

by Gene Henley ·May 16, 2023

De'Andre Kelly was ready to get back home.

Staff Photo by Matt Hamilton / South Pittsburg's (2) De'Andre Kelly, who helped his team claim a Class 1A state title as a senior, is transferring from UT-Martin to join the UTC football taem.

Chattanooga women’s pro soccer team launching under USL Super League

by Gene Henley ·May 16, 2023

The Chattanooga Red Wolves organization announced Tuesday that the franchise will be one of as many as 14 teams comprising the new USL Women's Super League.

Staff photo by Olivia Ross / The sun sets behind CHI Memorial Stadium. The Chattanooga Lady Red Wolves will be one of 12 teams comprising the new USL Super League.

Chattanooga Lady Red Wolves open with win as UTC’s Mackenzie Smith leads

by Gene Henley ·May 14, 2023

Mackenzie Smith is taking on a new responsibility with the Chattanooga Lady Red Wolves this season.

Staff file photo by Matt Hamilton / Mackenzie Smith has taken on the title of captain this season for the Chattanooga Lady Red Wolves, who won their opener Sunday night.

UTC softball team finishes 25-27 with back-to-back SoCon tourney losses

by Gene Henley ·May 11, 2023

The 2023 UTC softball team has run out of chances to develop the consistent winning formula that remained out of reach throughout the season.

Staff photo by Olivia Ross / UTC catcher Jayce Purdy high-fives pitcher Peja Goold after the Mocs beat Furman in the SoCon tournament opener for both teams Wednesday at Frost Stadium. UTC lost twice on Thursday, ending its season.

‘Underdog’ UTC overwhelms Furman in SoCon softball tourney opener

by Gene Henley ·May 10, 2023

The UTC softball team was relegated to the visitors' dugout of Frost Stadium on Wednesday.

Staff photo by Olivia Ross / UTC's Emily Coltharp (9) high-fives teammates after scoring against Furman in a SoCon softball tournament opener Wednesday at Frost Stadium. Sixth-seeded UTC beat third-seeded Furman 8-3, the Mocs' fourth win this season against the Paladins.

Despite subpar regular season, softball Mocs remain ‘confident’ heading into SoCon tournament

by Gene Henley ·May 9, 2023

At first glance, it's easy to stare at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga softball team's record and consider the season far low of the expectation set forth during Frank Reed's long tenure as head coach.