The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has hit close to home for the Dallas-area track and field community.
The Advocate in Baton Rouge, La., reported that Orlando McDaniel died from COVID-19 on Friday night at the age of 59. McDaniel was the executive director and founder of the North Texas Cheetahs girls track club and coached many of the area’s top athletes during summer and indoor track.
“Orlando was a tireless worker for the youth in his area of D-FW,” LSU track coach Dennis Shaver told The Advocate. “His youth North Texas Cheetahs Track Club, year after year, developed many of the great athletes competing for universities throughout the United States.”
Shaver told The Advocate that McDaniel had recently traveled to Washington, D.C., and fell ill after returning home.
McDaniel competed in track and football at LSU and was the national runner-up in the 110-meter hurdles in 1980. He played briefly in the NFL as a wide receiver, getting drafted in the second round by the Denver Broncos in 1982 and playing in three games for the team that season.
Former 100-meter world record holder Leroy Burrell posted his condolences on Twitter. Burrell won an Olympic gold medal in the 4x100-meter relay in 1992 and is now the head coach at Houston.
I just spoke to him in January as I normally do in preparation for our high school and youth meets. This hurts. https://t.co/JUsWpe450d
— Leroy Burrell OLY (@BurrellLeroy) March 28, 2020
Former Mansfield Lake Ridge triple jump and long jump star Jasmine Moore, a nine-time state champion, competed for the Cheetahs from fifth grade all the way through high school. Moore, a freshman at Georgia who is one of three finalists for the USTFCCCA National Women’s Field Athlete of the Year award, shared her grief on Twitter.
RIP to someone who believed in me so much. Thank you for everything, I am truly grateful for everything you’ve done for me. miss you already💜 #StayAtHome pic.twitter.com/PlAJe1sEHp
— Jaz (@Jasmineemoo) March 28, 2020
DeSoto ranks No. 1 in the nation in the 4x100 relay (45.16) and 4x200 relay (1:36.91) this season, according to DyeStat.com. Three members of the 4x100 team (Jalaysi’ya Smith, Ja’Era Griffin and Arkansas signee Jayla Hollis) and three members of the 4x200 team (Griffin, Hollis and Mia Abraham) have run for the Cheetahs.
So have Wylie East’s Destini Jeter (2019 Class 5A state champion in the 300 hurdles), Duncanville’s Dy’Mond Wiley (ranks fifth in the state in the 400), former Duncanville star Arius Williams (2019 6A state runner-up in 400), former DeSoto star Rosaline Effiong (2019 6A state runner-up in 200) and Ole Miss second-team All-American Kelly Rowe from Mansfield Lake Ridge.
Here are some of the tributes to McDaniel on Twitter:
Losing a coach is like losing a parent. He put so much effort into making sure every single one of his girls got a chance to run in college. This one hurts my soul more than I can put into words. PLEASE stay home. Your carelessness about COVID-19 isn’t worth any more lives. pic.twitter.com/HaePcTs7pW
— Mo (@xo_morgannfaith) March 28, 2020
RIP to Coach Orlando the man that was the reason I started running track in the first place. Literally been knowing him half my life, we definitely ain’t always see eye to eye but you made a major impact on my life. Y’all please start taking this #COVID19 serious!! pic.twitter.com/ZSj1k2emFb
— Cece❤️ (@thereallcee_) March 28, 2020
Tiger Nation sends prayers to the family and team of Coach Orlando McDaniel . We have to take COVID -19 very serious. https://t.co/hxszpKjMt5
— RockdaleTrack&Field🏃🏽♂️🏃♀️💨💨 (@_TigerTrack) March 28, 2020
Hard to believe about the passing of Orlando McDaniel. Not only a great coach but even a better person, who led by example & meant so much to not only his athletes & their parents but also to the T&F community. RIP my friend.
— steve mcbride (@steveat21) March 28, 2020
The Wings Track Club will miss you @OrlandoMcDaniel ‼️😢 You have been an ICON of the Youth Track and Field movement for a LONG TIME‼️ You and the North Texas Cheetah's have helped 100's of young ladies achieve their dreams of next level competition at Colleges and Universities. https://t.co/XrwZ3mmZ57
— The Wings Track Club (@TheWingsTrack) March 28, 2020
Mourning the loss of letter winners Orlando McDaniel and Pearson Jordan. pic.twitter.com/XyJukMGMcG
— LSU Track & Field (@LSUTrackField) March 28, 2020
In loving memory of the best coach ever! You left a legacy behind and I’m grateful to be have been apart of that. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me and my family you’ll forever be remembered love you Coach Orlando💜🥺 pic.twitter.com/Oj7PNOPa8X
— Arius Williams🥰 (@ariusthebap) March 28, 2020
Devastated & heartbroken. Orlando was so much more to kids, & families than just a coach. He was a legend on the track, but his legacy will live on for years to come w the hundreds of lives he touched. I am still in disbelief. We love you @OrlandoMcDaniel . #Praying #NTC 💜 pic.twitter.com/DLUXkyoNfX
— LakeRidgeTrackAndField (@Lake_RidgeTrack) March 28, 2020
