Stephen has covered sports in the tri-state area for the Times Free Press for more than 26 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 54 awards at the state, regional and national level ranging from investigative work to feature and news writing, including 22 awards in the past three years. 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, where his work was noted for its high standards of ethical journalism. He received an Associated Press national award for a season-long story following the Taft Youth Center football team, became the first writer from the TFP staff to win first-place as the state's top overall sports writer by the Associated Press Media Editors and has also been named the state's overall Writer of the Year three times in the past four years. He has been awarded the state's top prep writer a record 18 times, including each of the past six years, is the first writer on the TFP staff to win the prestigious Lawrenceburg Quarterback Club's Sports Writer of the Year and was recognized with the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association's Sportsmanship Award for Contributor of the Year in the state. He is also a regular contributor previewing and highlighting prep football on local television. In 2013, Stephen co-authored a book about University of Tennessee football entitled "Game Of My Life". Stephen is a lifelong Chattanooga area resident and has two children, Riley and Lauren.
In the span of just three months two of the Chattanooga area's most revered prep football programs have undergone major changes.
by Stephen HargisVic Grider, one of the state's most successful prep football coaches, has announced his retirement from South Pittsburg High School after 22 seasons as head coach.
by Stephen HargisOur readers have spoken. Loud and clear.
by Stephen HargisIn a defensive battle, one offensive play stood out.
by Stephen HargisFor much of his coaching career, Tyrus Ward has earned a reputation for taking on rebuilding projects and turning around struggling teams. Now he has the chance to lead an established football program.
by Stephen HargisIf ever the TSSAA wanted to prove its decision making prioritizes the benefit of the state's student-athletes, now's the chance.
by Stephen HargisThe eyes of Tennessee's high school football fans could soon be turning toward the Scenic City.
by Stephen HargisOoltewah High School football coach Scott Chandler has resigned after three seasons. Chandler was promoted from defensive assistant prior to the 2018 season and compiled an overall record of 16-16 as head coach.
by Stephen HargisI first realized the popularity of "Mark Trail," the outdoors comic strip, a little more than a decade ago.
by Stephen HargisIn his first two seasons in charge of the program, Grant Reynolds has been building East Hamilton football toward becoming a contender in Class 4A.
by Stephen HargisThe TSSAA has announced that Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee will soon lift the restrictions on attendance at prep sports events
by Stephen Hargis and Patrick MacCoonChandler Tygard has resigned after two years as football coach at North Jackson High School in Alabama to accept an offer in Tennessee, where he'll take over at Blackman in Murfreesboro.
by Stephen HargisAccording to multiple media outlets the University of Tennessee has fired head football coach Jeremy Pruitt. Athletic Director Phillip Fulmer, who hired Pruitt three years ago, is expected to retire.
by Stephen HargisThe TSSAA Board of Control held a virtual meeting Thursday to set the future host sites for multiple sports' state tournaments, including girls' soccer, which will return to Chattanooga, the event's host city for several years before it was moved to Murfreesboro in 2013.
by Stephen HargisThe TSSAA state wrestling tournament is returning to Chattanooga after a 12-year absence.
by Stephen HargisFor its new head football coach, Whitwell High School has turned to one of its own.
by Stephen HargisThe winter sports prep season for Hamilton County schools, which has been postponed since early December, could resume in one week.
by Stephen HargisFor any retrospective of the Chattanooga area's sports scene in 2020, the losses far outweigh the success.
by Stephen HargisOnce McCallie's football team regained full strength late in the season, the Blue Tornado became dominant on their way to winning a second straight TSSAA Division II-AAA state title.
by Stephen HargisA second straight TSSAA state runner-up finish has led to another impressive list of all-state selections for Meigs County's football program.
by Stephen Hargis