Denton County Athletics Club hopes for more support and better conditions for student athletes

AUBREY — Alonzo and Sheilla Tutson are the coaches who run the Tell Others To Run track and field club.

The nonprofit group was founded in McKinney but has been based in Denton County for 7-8 years.

Coach Alonzo Tutson said they focused on small groups, although they had up to 25 members. In December, he said they needed a place to practice, and coach Sheilla began contacting school officials without success.

After the Denton Independent School District meeting in May, TOTR received approval to train at Navo Middle School. The Tutsons were grateful, but said when they arrived on campus, it was clear the training would be torture.

“We just want a facility that is usable,” said coach Alonzo Tutson.

The couple said the middle school’s red gravel path is good for walking for exercise or for walking the dog.

“But not to train athletes,” said Tutson. “Not track and field athletes.”

The gravel surface of the track could be more suitable for hurdlers and runners.

“When you’re driving on a gravel road and you try to pick up speed, you start to spin out,” he said. “There are rocks flying everywhere. It’s the same thing on this track.”

Students who train in the track and field club must practice shot put on the way to school. For discus throwing, Tutson says, athletes must go to the softball field. Long jump sessions are done near the field on a surface that is grassy rather than soft and sandy for track and field athletes. He said uncovered studs pose a danger to his children’s feet.

According to Denton ISD, they have money and plans to improve their middle school tracks. However, Cheek Middle School, where the track club would like to practice, is not available. Here is what DISD said in a statement:

Denton ISD is very fortunate to have a community that supports our efforts to provide exceptional experiences for our students, including their support in building and maintaining great facilities. We were happy to accommodate the TOTR Track Club and allow them to use the Navo Middle School track and practice field at no charge. All of Denton ISD’s middle schools have the same facility, with the exception of Cheek Middle School, which will become the new standard for middle school track and practice fields in the future. www.dentonisd.org/construction The Cheek Middle School track and practice field is currently experiencing unforeseen warranty and maintenance issues. It may look usable to a casual observer, however, Denton ISD is currently working with the surfacing contractor/installer to resolve some inconsistencies. The Braswell High School track and field facility has been expanded to include the Carrico Athletic Complex – a fully functional 6A football and track and field stadium. Organizations unaffiliated with the school may use the facility, but fees apply. Fees would cover the cost of on-site staff and utilities. Like most public school districts, Denton ISD asks all unaffiliated school groups (including churches, nonprofits, etc.) wishing to use the district’s facilities to complete an application form posted here.
The request will then be forwarded to our Operations Department, Athletic Department, and on-site staff for approval. We wish the young people of our community the best as they advance to Nationals with the TOTR Track Club! We can’t wait to see them achieve great things, including representing our schools in UIL competition in the near future.

It was too hot for Tell Others to Run athletes to train on Monday, but they will be back in Navo on Wednesday, preparing for AAU Nationals in July.

Tutson said her athletes have performed well in sports at Denton ISD for years. Coaches said they remain committed to the lives of student-athletes, even if they are sometimes passed over.

“They know it, and parents know they deserve better,” Tutson said. “If you represent Denton-Braswell, you represent Denton ISD.”

He said: “If this is the best we can do, then we should be ashamed of ourselves.”