Wesley Hallman has joined the Shelby County Reporter staff as sports editor, replacing Chris Megginson.

Hallman, 26, graduated from the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in journalism in May 2006.

In July 2006, The Birmingham News hired him to cover Shelby County high school sports as a part-time sports reporter. After two years, he changed beats, covering sports at Hoover City Schools.

Hallman was introduced as the Reporter’s sports editor Aug. 5.

He said his goal is to continue the tradition of excellence in the Reporter’s sports section.

“The bar has been set high here,” he said. “I just hope to be able to keep (the section) where it is and, hopefully, improve it in the future.”

Hallman said he looks forward to covering Shelby County again and continuing his relationships with coaches and players from the past.

Reporter Publisher and President Tim Prince said he expects Hallman to fit in well while covering the county.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to work with someone of Wesley’s caliber. Wesley knows many of the coaches and players in Shelby County and is comfortable with the great importance their fans and families place on solid coverage of our local teams,” Prince said. “We look for great things from Wesley and expect our readers online and in print will be very happy with his work.”

Hallman and his wife, Christina, reside in Hoover.

Former sports editor Chris Megginson has been named the sports information director at Campbellsville University in Campbellsville, Ky. He will begin at the end of August.