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 primer: What to watch for this week

by Stephen Hargis ·May 24, 2022

A spring sports season that began amid freezing March temperatures has now heated up to its boiling point. When the Spring Fling - Tennessee's week-long Olympic-style prep sports championship series - gets underway Tuesday morning, the Chattanooga-area will once again have athletes and teams contending for the season's crowning achievement.

20 years since Spring Fling left Chattanooga, event is no closer to returning

by Stephen Hargis ·May 21, 2022

Scenic City gave birth to TSSAA's May extravaganza, but Murfreesboro has firm grip now

Prep roundup: Lookout Valley earns first baseball state tourney berth since 2008

by Stephen Hargis ·May 20, 2022

For the four seniors on Lookout Valley's baseball team, Friday evening's high school graduation ceremony was only the second-biggest event of the day.

Prep softball roundup: Baylor hits big to return to Spring Fling

by Stephen Hargis ·May 19, 2022

GPS, Chattanooga Christian will join Lady Red Raiders in DII-AA's final four

Prep baseball roundup: Silverdale Baptist splits to start series; Baylor punches ticket to return to Spring Fling

by Stephen Hargis ·May 18, 2022

At this late point of the prep baseball season, Lance Rorex didn't care if he sounded greedy.

Renfro’s late homer helps lift Lady Trojans into region semifinals

by Stephen Hargis ·May 18, 2022

After battling for nearly six full innings - first just managing to score a run, then narrowly holding onto a slim lead - it only took one swing for Soddy-Daisy's softball team to finally end the drama.

Chattanooga-area players Elrod, Godbout and Junkins all finalists for state’s Mr. Baseball award

by Stephen Hargis ·May 18, 2022

When Henry Godbout came to Baylor School from Brooklyn, New York, he said he wanted to experience southern culture and great baseball.

Whitwell hitting its stride just as the softball postseason begins

by Stephen Hargis ·May 17, 2022

Rebecca Castle's bold investment is beginning to pay off.

Prep notebook: Markey named CCS’ Director of Tennis for new Maclellan Center

by Stephen Hargis ·May 9, 2022

Chattanooga Christian School has announced Derek Markey as the Director of Tennis for its new Maclellan Tennis Center, which is scheduled to open later this summer.

UGA’s national title QB Stetson Bennett will be Best of Preps banquet speaker

by Stephen Hargis ·May 7, 2022

The annual Times Free Press Best of Preps awards banquet is returning to an in-person event this summer and will be headlined by a nationally recognized college athlete.