Dallas, TX

High school athlete: Dallas risks falling behind without a competitive indoor track

Published

2 months ago

November 19, 2025

High school athlete: Dallas risks falling behind without a competitive indoor track

If Dallas had a city-owned competitive indoor track, thousands of athletes from across the region and neighboring states would compete right here in our hometown.

While there are recreational indoor walking tracks in the Dallas area, there are currently no indoor track facilities that meet competition standards. Many recreation centers have small indoor tracks for walking or casual jogging, but none meet the size, surfacing or layout requirements needed to host high school or college meets.

Coaches from Southern Methodist University, the University of Texas at Arlington, the University of Texas at Dallas, the University of North Texas and Texas Christian University all agree: Without an indoor track, teams must drive hours to compete or train.

As one of SMU’s coaches, Leo Settle put it, “Teams travel to College Station, Houston and Lubbock for indoor competition. There are four NCAA Division I programs in D-FW, and it would be a great facility for hosting home meets.”

Dallas is already funding a major reimagining of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. Its expansion brings more conventions, tourism and year-round downtown activity. That expansion is the perfect opportunity to add an indoor track serving students, clubs and colleges.

Why build it now? Three reasons.

Athletes need it. Indoor season is not a luxury. It helps athletes refine technique, avoid injury in bad weather and remain competitive for outdoor track. UTD’s program — recently the subject of a petition to reinstate their track and cross country program — shows how essential local opportunities can be and how removing them disadvantages emerging athletes.

“An independent track, or one in partnership with a city or county, would be a huge advantage for North Texas,” said Stuart Kantor, executive director of the Texas Track and Field Coaches Association. There will be interest from college conferences, USA Track and Field, Amateur Athletic Union and the National Scholastic Athletics Foundation, he added.

John Joseph-Youssef, a former UTD athlete, agreed, “Indoor track bridges into the outdoor track season. It provides a controlled environment, free from wind and weather.”

The economic benefits are clear. Crowley High School in Fort Worth is building a $150 million indoor and outdoor track complex hosting state and regional meets, tournaments and events. Even at the high school level, indoor competition has taken off. For Dallas, a city of 1.3 million people, the absence of a comparable facility is a missed opportunity. LeTourneau University, in Longview, is also installing a facility, signaling growing interest in other parts of the state.

The timing couldn’t be better. Dallas voters have already supported investments in a new convention center to boost downtown activity. An athletic facility should be considered to turn a civic project into a community asset. Conference offices based in D-FW could bring championships here; high school meets could avoid all-day road trips; colleges could access invitationals they otherwise might miss.

This isn’t about elite programs. Coaches across Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arkansas note that Division II and III teams often struggle to enter invitationals hosted by larger programs. An accessible indoor track would serve local athletes and competitors from across the region. That was the central message of the petition to save UTD’s programs: These sports expand access to higher education for students from diverse backgrounds.

City leaders are choosing what kind of Dallas to build. If the convention center expansion is supposed to increase activity, then let it be a place that supports our local athletes, provides a safe place to compete, and pays for itself. Choose the kind of city that keeps athletes in town and brings thousands of visitors here to compete and spend.

Dallas has the chance to lead and flourish. Include a portable indoor track in the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center expansion during the indoor season — or build a permanent facility — and prioritize access for high schools, clubs and colleges.

Keely Aguilar is a Dallas high school student and competitive distance runner.

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Dallas, TX

Man found dead over the weekend by police in South Dallas identified

Published

3 hours ago

January 28, 2026

Press Room

Man found dead over the weekend by police in South Dallas identified

Timia Cobb is a breaking news reporter for the Dallas Morning News as of June 2025. She previously worked with Syracuse.com |The Post-Standard and as a fellow with the Texas Tribune. She has a master’s degree in Magazine, News and Digital Journalism from Syracuse University and a bachelor’s in journalism from Texas State University.

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Dallas, TX

DAL@STL Postgame: Glen Gulutzan | Dallas Stars

Published

15 hours ago

January 28, 2026

Press Room

DAL@STL Postgame: Glen Gulutzan | Dallas Stars

DallasStars.com is the official Web site of DSE Hockey Club, L.P. The Dallas Stars primary logo is a registered trademark and the Stars name and secondary logos are trademarks of the Dallas Stars. NHL, the NHL Shield, the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup and NHL Conference logos are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks as well as all other proprietary materials depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective NHL teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. Copyright © 1999-2025 DSE Hockey Club, L.P. and the National Hockey League. All Rights Reserved.

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Dallas, TX

LIVE: Road conditions in DFW for Tuesday

Published

1 day ago

January 27, 2026

Press Room

LIVE: Road conditions in DFW for Tuesday

DALLAS – After briefly ending the subfreezing streak, it remains bitterly cold this morning. Any lingering moisture has iced over, resulting in patches of black ice on exposed surfaces. Residents should exercise extra caution.

Roads remain slick in many areas. The safest option is to stay off the roads until more significant melting occurs this afternoon.

With melting adding moisture to the air and light winds on Tuesday night, there is a risk of fog as temperatures drop back below freezing. The risk is highest north and west of the Metroplex. Freezing fog is particularly dangerous, as it can create a thin layer of ice on any surface it touches. This may spread across North Texas after 2 a.m. Wednesday.

Live Traffic Map

Road Conditions – Tuesday, Jan. 25

10:30 a.m.: DFW road conditions

The roads are still a little rough. According to FOX 4 traffic reporter Chip Waggoner, transition areas are the worst in this period of flux.

You have the highways and the toll roads that have been sanded and graded, but you also have on and off ramps and the secondary streets that remain untouched.

“It’s pretty dangerous and treacherous there. That’s why I think one more day of staying home is going to be worth your while,” he said.

As temperatures get above freezing on Tuesday afternoon, some of the ice should begin to melt.

8:50 a.m.: Road conditions around Fort Worth

8:40 a.m.: Trouble on I-30 continues

8:20 a.m.: Road conditions in Collin County

8 a.m.: Trouble on I-30

6:40 a.m.: Icy conditions

5:30 a.m.: I-35E at Hwy. 66

5:15 a.m.: Stay home if you can

Track Icy Road Conditions

If the roads are icy, the best thing you can do is stay home. If you must drive in inclement weather, allow additional time to reach your destination and share your travel plans with a friend or family member, so someone knows the route you’re taking.

If you must drive in inclement weather, allow additional time to reach your destination and share your travel plans with a friend or family member, so someone knows the route you’re taking.

When driving on icy roads, drive slowly and increase the distance between your vehicle and others when stopping. Do not use cruise control during poor driving conditions and ensure your vehicle has a full tank of gas before you head out.

Safety officials tell Texans to be aware and approach bridges and overpasses slowly as ice can accumulate before drivers are able to see it on the roads. Drivers should also watch for downed trees and power lines. If a stoplight is out, treat the intersection as a four-way stop.

Safe driving protocols

What you can do:

Safety officials ask Texans to keep a well-stocked emergency kit with warm clothes, food, water, cell phone battery/charger and first aid items.

Here are some other tips to help you stay ahead of winter weather:

Use an all-hazards weather radio for up-to-date warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information.
Sign up for calls or texts from your local emergency notification system.
Insulate outside faucets and pipes near outer walls.
Make sure furnaces, heaters, fireplaces and wood stoves are clean, well-ventilated and in good working condition.
Keep space heaters at least three feet away from walls and combustible materials and make sure to turn them off when you’re away or sleeping. (Also ensure that space heaters cannot tip over and that the cord is not damaged)
Check on friends and family members whose health or age may put them at greater risk.
Stock up on firewood and supplies, including canned goods, bottled water and medication.
Ensure your vehicle’s safety by making sure doors and trunk locks are properly lubricated to prevent them from freezing. Also, check your vehicle’s battery, windshield wipers, tire pressure and tire tread.

Texas DPS also recommends individuals to check their vehicle’s fluid levels and have a well-stocked emergency kit that includes warm clothes, food, water, cell phone battery/charger and first aid items.

Have a way to get updates

Watch live coverage on your phone

With severe winter weather on the way this weekend, you should have a way to get important updates if the power goes out.

The FOX LOCAL app will allow you to stay up to date with livestreams, the latest forecasts, news stories and weather alerts in real time, all from your mobile phone or tablet.