El Paso Times' Felix Chavez honored by coaches as Texas' sports writer of the year

El Paso Athletic Hall of Famer Felix Chavez has another award to collect: The Texas High School Coaches Association Putt Powell Sports Writer of the Year award.

The El Paso Times sportswriter was presented with the award on Saturday, July 20.

Chavez was one of eight finalists nominated at THSCA regional meetings, then was selected at the THSCA Board of Directors meeting in May.

The award has been presented annually sin ce 1958 to "recognize a sportswriter for their work in sports coverage for the state of Texas."

"Felix is a special journalist. He cares deeply about El Paso's athletes and approaches his work with a focus on serving others," El Paso Times Editor Tim Archuleta said. "He tries to build relationships with coaches beyond drive-by interviews so he can provide timely, accurate and insightful coverage.

"I admire Felix for following in the footprints of other great El Paso and Southwest sports journalist who devoted their gifted careers to local journalism."

As the high school reporter for the El Paso Times, Chavez has covered every high school in El Paso County since coming to the Times in 2009. Before that he spent nine years with the Las Cruces Sun-News. Chavez also covers horse racing and boxing , and almost everything else as well for the Times.

In 2021 Chavez was inducted into the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame .

"It's a great honor to be recognized by a respected organization," Chavez said of the Putt Powell award. "There are many talented sports reporters in Texas who spend many hours reporting on prep sports. But really, I owe this to the athletes, coaches and teams we here at the Times cover.

"El Paso has many great stories and the high school beat has given me many great moments. Also, our El Paso Times staff has been of great support to me and that too has been important in bringing the news to El Paso and the state."

Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso Times' Felix Chavez honored by coaches as Texas' sports writer of the year