RSSSteve Hanlon

Steve Hanlon

Steve Hanlon is a 1981 graduate of Crown Point and earned a history degree at Evangel University.

He started working at The Times in 1991 as a correspondent and was hired full-time in 1994. In 2000 he went to work at the Indianapolis Star, where he stayed until 2004.

Missing Region pizza, family and watching the Chicago Cubs every day in the summer brought him back to his home area.

Hanlon was the Prep Beat writer from 1995 through 2000. Upon returning to The Times, where he covered Valparaiso University for one season, he took back the Prep Beat beat in 2005.

Hanlon's wife's name is Karen and he has two daughters -- Marley and Gracie. He is grateful that both of his girls have their mother's looks. And so are they.

Reach Steve Hanlon at (219) 933-4198 or steve.hanlon@nwi.com

Latest News

STEVE HANLON: This could be a first, lastly

Steve Hanlon Prep Beat

In recent years I've made bold, cocky predictions about how the region softball teams would do in the postseason. I've picked three or four teams getting to Indianapolis in the past, and I've been right.

STEVE HANLON: Don't let these 'Days' slip away

Steve Hanlon Prep Beat

This weekend, while many of us are in long lines looking to purchase chocolate hearts, candied roses and cards written by some stranger in the Philippines, or we stand in line for three hours on Sunday to have an hour-long lunch, Diane and Mo…

STEVE HANLON: This is one tax plan I agree with

Steve Hanlon Prep Beat

MUNSTER | I am not a politician. Nor do I play one on television.

STEVE HANLON: What it takes to get to the top

Steve Hanlon Prep Beat

In 1977 Lisa Sanchez walked into East Chicago Washington as a semi-lost ninth-grader. The 5-foot-1 youngster had never before dribbled or shot a basketball.

STEVE HANLON: 'Stepping down' on the critics

Steve Hanlon Prep Beat

For all you knuckle-draggers crawling out of your caves, here is a sentence for you. And for all you Nike-wearing troglodytes, this applies to you, too.

STEVE HANLON: Plastic grass ready to Oiler Up

Steve Hanlon Prep Beat

About 11 or 12 years ago, when I was writing for the Indianapolis Star, I got a call that got my blood boiling.

STEVE HANLON: 'You've got that right'

Steve Hanlon Prep Beat

CROWN POINT | When most in "Da Region" were still sleeping, Spike Albrecht and his grandfather, Frank Brunski, would grace the new dawn with eyes wide open and a collective pulse beating heavily.

STEVE HANLON: Dusting off a boys hoops notebook

Steve Hanlon Prep Beat

All good things must come to an end, a famous philosopher once said. And rightly so, I must add.

STEVE HANLON: Bowman is ready for 3A

Steve Hanlon Prep Beat

INDIANAPOLIS | It's not like the complaints and harsh words about Bowman Academy's boys basketball program have been stated in a vacuum.

STEVE HANLON: This is Dillard Time

Prep Beat

GARY | It's like Michelangelo doing graffiti on an old wall at a Gary gas station that went out of business six years ago. Or Bob Dylan singing a remake of a Katy Perry ditty.

STEVE HANLON: Shakespeare in Chuck Taylors

Steve Hanlon Prep Beat

HUNTINGTON | It's a question that's been asked for the past 103 years. Philosophy and Hoosier Hysteria have gone hand-in-hand since the high school tournament began.

STEVE HANLON: Bowman will go to 3A with a win

Steve Hanlon Prep Beat

There's something special, even loveable, about Hoosier Hysteria. This craziness has been selling tickets for 103 years. Many people have timed their lives by this tourney.

STEVE HANLON: Merrillville wins Class 4A regional crown

Steve Hanlon Prep Beat

MICHIGAN CITY | It was a bold statement. The kind coaches in Indiana don't like their kids to say. Especially at 2 p.m. on a regional Saturday.

STEVE HANLON: Region hoopsters hope to be regional spoilers

Steve Hanlon Prep Beat

It shouldn't be a shock that there is a strong connection between the best basketball players in Northwest Indiana. Summer hoops has been bringing people together for a long time.

STEVE HANLON: It takes more than the stars

Steve Hanlon Prep Beat

UNION TWP. | It's been going on for 103 years. A century-plus of the same thing.

STEVE HANLON: The vanishing act in Gary must stop

Steve Hanlon Prep Beat

GARY | The legacy of high school basketball in Gary doesn't have a close second.

STEVE HANLON: This just won't go away, will it?

Steve Hanlon Prep Beat

KOUTS | Here's hoping my GPS is right on this one.

STEVE HANLON: Winning has nothing to do with pride

Steve Hanlon Prep Beat

HAMMOND | The tears were forming, but they never fell down the cheek. Not in the following conversation anyway.

STEVE HANLON: This one is a family affair

Steve Hanlon Prep Beat

HAMMOND | This one was sold out. But it was also souled out.

STEVE HANLON: Patton's heart is a winner

Steve Hanlon Prep Beat

VALPARAISO | It wasn't a ho-hum kind of injury. The kind where a bag of ice and a few minutes on the bench is the healer.

STEVE HANLON: A few thoughts from What if-land

Steve Hanlon Prep Beat

MERRILLVILLE | What if Pete Best would've stayed with the Beatles? What if David Lee Roth never would've left Van Halen?

STEVE HANLON: Saturday night's all right for fight'n

Steve Hanlon Prep Beat

PORTAGE | Mike Megyese spoke directly with some passion on Jan. 25, a few minutes after his Michigan City Wolves had snapped Merrillville's 39-game regular season winning streak with a 60-57 win.

STEVE HANLON: The rumor is true, Poston is the real deal

Steve Hanlon Prep Beat

CEDAR LAKE | There have been a lot of rumors about Hanover Central guard Blayr Poston this winter. I wish I had a dime for every question or email I've gotten about her injury and missed games.

STEVE HANLON: No red eyes needed in this one

Steve Hanlon Prep Beat

MUNSTER | It isn't just how you finish. Hardly. Winners come in many shapes and sizes. And they are not always on the “right” side of the scoreboard.

STEVE HANLON: A Super Family night on Day 1

Steve Hanlon Prep Beat

NEW CHICAGO | This week the stories and photographs will all be about Indiana's girls, the young ladies competing in the IHSAA's 38th annual girls basketball state championships.

STEVE HANLON: Our pep band is better than yours!

Steve Hanlon Prep Beat

NEW CHICAGO | Robert Burke had been here before. Well, sort of.

STEVE HANLON: This one is how it should be

Steve Hanlon Prep Beat

MICHIGAN CITY | Region football fans used to praise, glorify and pump up the old Andrean-Griffith rivalry. Even though it was vicious. Hateful. And certainly not politically correct.