Our guest speaker for this meeting will be Chris Lea, award-winning sports anchor for WRAL-TV. Lea has spent more than 20 years working in newspapers, radio, and television. Known for his energy and engaging style, Lea brings sports stories to life for viewers across the Triangle and beyond.
Lea grew up in Greensboro and High Point, North Carolina. His interest in journalism began while he was a student at Southwest Guilford High School, taking part in a journalism workshop sponsored by the Greensboro News & Record. He also helped bring back his school’s newspaper.
Lea later attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he earned a degree in Communication Studies in 2009.
Lea began his career in 2004 at the Greensboro News & Record. He covered high school sports, college soccer, and the Carolina Dynamo soccer team. These early assignments helped him build his reporting skills and develop a love for sports journalism.
He soon moved into radio, working at Greensboro’s 102 Jamz. There, he served as a host, producer, and commentator. He also hosted Straight Talk, a public affairs program that covered a wide range of topics.
While in college, Lea gained experience in entertainment television. He hosted an episode of mtvU’s The Dean’s List and worked as a backstage reporter at the 2007 mtvU “Woodie Awards.”
In 2013, Lea joined WXII 12 News in Winston-Salem as a traffic anchor and reporter. Two years later, he moved into sports reporting. He went on to lead the station’s sports coverage, reporting on high school, college, and professional sports.
Lea joined WRAL-TV in March 2020 as a sports anchor and reporter. His arrival came at a challenging time. The COVID-19 pandemic had brought much of the sports world to a halt. Lea adapted by finding new ways to tell stories about athletes, teams, and their communities.
At WRAL, Lea covers a wide range of sports. His work includes high school athletics, ACC basketball and football, and professional sports. He is especially familiar with the rich college sports traditions of North Carolina.
Lea also has an unusual background for a television sports reporter. Earlier in his career, he worked as a professional wrestler for independent wrestling groups in North Carolina. That experience gave him a unique view of sports, competition, and entertainment.
Throughout his career, Lea has earned recognition for his work, including Emmy and Edward R. Murrow awards. His success reflects his strong reporting skills and his ability to connect with viewers.
Today, Chris Lea remains a familiar face to sports fans across the Triangle. Whether covering a major college rivalry or sharing the story of a local athlete, he brings enthusiasm, knowledge, and a personal touch to his reporting.
Mark Your Calendar
11/18/26 – Lewis Bowling, Author & Historian
12/2/26 – A Special Guest Speaker and Board of Director Elections
12/16/26 – Durham Sports Club Christmas Spectacular