Stephen Hargis

Stephen has covered sports in the tri-state area for the Times Free Press for more than 35 years and was named Sports Editor in February of 2015 after 10 years as assistant sports editor, where he oversaw the prep sports staff. Stephen is among the most decorated writers in the TFP newsroom, having won more than 60 awards at the state, regional and national level ranging from investigative work to feature and news writing. Stephen 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 has been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists with Green Eyeshade southeast regional awards three times. He received an Associated Press national award for a season-long story following the Taft Youth Center football team, was named the state's top overall sports writer by the AP Media Editors as well as Tennessee Sports Writers Association three times and has also been named the state's top prep writer 19 times by the TSWA. Stephen is a lifelong Chattanooga area resident and has two children, Riley and Lauren.

Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.

Spring Fling: What to watch for from Chattanooga area teams

by Stephen Hargis ·May 22, 2023

The spring sports season comes to a dramatic conclusion this week as state champions will be decided in the five sports making up the annual TSSAA Spring Fling in Murfreesboro.

Staff photo by Patrick MacCoon / Silverdale Baptist senior pitcher Turner Junkins is a Mr. Baseball finalist for the second year in a row and has helped lead the Seahawks to a second straight trip to the Spring Fling.

Brainerd’s Danielle Dunning poised to rewrite state sprint records at Spring Fling

by Stephen Hargis ·May 20, 2023

Danielle Dunning's focus will stretch beyond the seven other competitors in neighboring lanes when the Brainerd track star competes at the state meet.

Staff photo by Olivia Ross / Brainerd sophomore sprinter Danielle Dunning will compete in the 100- and 200-meter dashes while also anchoring the Lady Panthers' 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams during Tuesday's Class A state meet at the TSSAA Spring Fling in Murfreesboro. Her qualifying times in the sprint events are significantly faster than her competition, but she'll be racing to not only win titles but break state records.

Chattanooga area turning into state’s hotbed for college football recruiting

by Stephen Hargis ·May 13, 2023

The Chattanooga area is primed to become Tennessee's epicenter for college football prospects this fall.

Staff file photo by Robin Rudd / Boo Carter (6), who was a Tennessee Titans Mr. Football finalist as a junior last fall at Chattanooga Christian before transferring to Brainerd, is ranked as the state's No. 1 college football recruit in the class of 2024.

Heritage names David Dinger baseball coach

by Stephen Hargis ·May 9, 2023

David Dinger is back in his familiar role of overseeing a Chattanooga area prep baseball program.

Staff file photo / Former Lookout Valley coach David Dinger is taking over the Heritage baseball program after longtime coach Eric Beagles stepped down to concentrate on administrative duties.

Chattanooga will host NCAA Division II softball national championship

by Stephen Hargis ·May 8, 2023

Chattanooga has been selected to host the NCAA Division II softball national championship tournament in late May. The decision was announced Monday afternoon by the NCAA Softball Committee during a meeting in Indianapolis.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / AstroTurf was installed at Warner Park's Jim Frost Stadium in March. Frost Stadium will be one of the host sites for the NCAA Division II softball national championship tournament in May.

Lookout Valley community turns out to support its own

by Stephen Hargis ·May 1, 2023

The lasting image of Jean Dinger, for anyone who ever attended a baseball game at Lookout Valley High School, would likely be the wide smile from behind the window of the concession stand.

Former UTC coach Katie Burrows taking over Dade County program

by Stephen Hargis ·April 24, 2023

A year away from the game she's loved and has been immersed in all her life may have been needed, but Katie Burrows recognized the timing and opportunity was right for a return to coaching.

Legendary former Brainerd star Venus Lacy named school’s new girls’ basketball coach

by Stephen Hargis ·April 24, 2023

Brainerd High School has turned to one of its own to take over its girls' basketball program.

Marion County’s Pemberton overcomes adversity to become an inspiration

by Stephen Hargis ·April 20, 2023

The moment may have appeared to be just a routine play, but for anyone who knows Milan Pemberton — and the remarkable grit she has shown to overcome a formidable physical hurdle — it was easily recognized as anything but ordinary.

Prep notebook: Chattanooga area’s list of all-state players includes plenty of underclassmen

by Stephen Hargis, Lindsey Young ·April 20, 2023

The Tennessee Sports Writers Association has released the all-state teams for boys' and girls' basketball as well as wrestling, with a total of 18 — nine boys and nine girls — Chattanooga-area players earning recognition in basketball and an astounding 52 in wrestling.