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.

Tyner boys hold off Brainerd, remain in line for district’s top seed

by Stephen Hargis ·February 4, 2023

In the race for the District 4-2A regular-season title, the Tyner boys' basketball team first had to finish off a season sweep of rival Brainerd.

Staff photo by Olivia Ross / Brainerd's JT Hood hits the court after diving while trying to block a pass to Tyner's Nicolas Smith (5) during Saturday's District 4-2A rivalry game at Tyner.

Baylor golf coach Gary Partrick earns national recognition

by Stephen Hargis ·February 2, 2023

Honor precedes Greater Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame induction next month

Staff photo by Robin Rudd / Baylor golf coach Gary Partrick, left, discusses the match with McCallie counterpart Rob Riddle in September 2015 at Lookout Mountain Golf Club. Partrick will be inducted into the Greater Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame next month.

Chattanooga Sports and TSSAA working toward BlueCross Bowl contract extension

by Stephen Hargis ·February 2, 2023

Chattanooga remains the only BlueCross Bowl host the TSSAA Board of Control will discuss and vote on at its next meeting, scheduled for March 1.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Tyner players take the field at Finley Stadium before the start of the Class 2A BlueCross Bowl on Dec. 3. Finley has hosted the TSSAA's nine-game state championship event for football the past two years, and Chattanooga Sports and the TSSAA remain in discussion on a new contract for the BlueCross Bowl to return in 2023 and 2024.

Brainerd’s Donivon Thomas is Chattanooga’s only public-school FBS signee Wednesday

by Stephen Hargis ·February 1, 2023

The first time Levar Brown met Donivon Thomas, he walked away with one thought in mind.

Staff photo by Robin Rudd / Brainerd's Donivon Thomas, left, followed through on his earlier commitment to the University of Toledo on Wednesday, when he became Hamilton County's only public-school athlete to sign with an FBS program on this year's national signing day.

Hargis: Signing day extra special for East Hamilton’s Lake Clark after overcoming brutal injury

by Stephen Hargis ·February 1, 2023

Back in late August, Lake Clark feared his competitive football days were done.

Staff file photo by Matt Hamilton / East Hamilton quarterback Lake Clark overcame a knee injury that prevented him from playing his senior high school season to earn scholarship offers from multiple college programs. Clark signed with Emory & Henry on Wednesday, the traditional national signing day for prep football players.

McCallie’s Andrei Delinois gets signing day started for Chattanooga area

by Stephen Hargis ·February 1, 2023

Andrei Delinois will have four more years to work on his "y'all."

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / McCallie's Andrei Delinois (3) stiff-arms Pope John Paul II's Chase Edwards while returning a punt during a TSSAA Division II-AAA semifinal on Nov. 19, 2021.

Cleveland’s new football coach looks to revive program’s swagger with fast-paced offense

by Stephen Hargis ·January 27, 2023

Although Cleveland High School was never in a rush to find its next head football coach, the program's new hire will certainly move quickly.

Contributed photo / Chandler Tygard has been hired as head football coach at Cleveland High School. He spent the past two years leading Murfreesboro program Blackman and prior to that was head coach for two seasons at North Jackson in Alabama.

Boo Carter among three Chattanooga-area players visiting coach Deion Sanders in Colorado

by Stephen Hargis ·January 27, 2023

A trio of Chattanooga-area prep football stars who are on the rise as college prospects have earned a Prime Time weekend.

Staff photo by Robin Rudd / Chattanooga Christian's Boo Carter breaks the tackle of Boyd Buchanan's Ty Barnes during a TSSAA Division II-AA East Region game on Sept. 29, 2022.

Chattanooga Christian honors legendary coach Eddie Salter for contributions to countless students

by Stephen Hargis ·January 20, 2023

By the time Eddie Salter was 10 years old, he already knew he wanted to become a coach when he grew up.

Staff file photo / Eddie Salter, a former head coach for the Chattanooga Christian School boys' basketball program, is in his final months before retiring after 37 years as a teacher and coach at CCS. The Chargers made multiple state tournament appearances under his direction and won the 2001 TSSAA Class A state title, but his contributions at the school have gone far beyond the court.

Lady Vols defeat Georgia for seventh straight win

by Stephen Hargis ·January 15, 2023

KNOXVILLE -- Led by senior Rickea Jackson's game-high 23 points, the University of Tennessee's women's basketball team defeated visiting Georgia 68-55 Sunday afternoon in front of a crowd of 9,772 at Thompson-Boling Arena.