WATTS Open Track Program Information
The WATTS is an indoor facility located on the campus of Youngstown State University. For more information contact (330) 941-2887.
GPS Address: 651 Elm St. | Youngstown, OH 44502
Faculty, Staff & Student Open Track Information
YSU Faculty, Staff & Students will be permitted to utilize the track inside the WATTS Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., as well as during open track nights (see Open Track Night Information).
The field, batting cages, putting green, etc. will not be available.
YSU Faculty, Staff & Student Hours will not be available on days where the University is closed due to weather or Legal Holidays.
YSU Faculty, Staff & Student hours will follow the University's calendar for Fall and Spring semesters. There will not be open track during the summer or over winter break & spring break.
Please visit YSUsports.com frequently as the facility may be closed due to athletic department functions. There are numerous track meets during January and February that require the closing of the facility for set-up.
Faculty, Staff & Student Open Track Rules & Regulations
- Priority will be given to any HPES classes that are taking place on the track during the 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. time period.
- YSU Faculty, Staff & Students using the track during these instances will be asked to utilize the outside lane and are expected to be respectful while the class is in session.
- Tennis shoes are required at all times.
- Water is permitted in the facility. All other food and beverages shall be discarded at the door.
- Youngstown State University assumes no liability for lost or stolen items.
WATTS Open Track Night Information
Fall 2026 Schedule (6-8 pm) - CROSS COUNTRY TEAMS ONLY
Monday, October 19
Wednesday, October 21
Monday, October 26
Wednesday, October 28
Monday, November 2
Wednesday, November 4
No spikes allowed for workouts.
WATTS Open Track Night Rules & Regulations
Participants throwing shot-put and/or discus will do so at the east end of the field on Tuesday's and Thursday's.
- Only shot-put/discus throwers and their coaches are permitted on the field.
- The WATTS will be closed to YSU Student-Athletes and Coaches during open track nights.
- Water is permitted in the facility. All other food and beverages shall be discarded at the door.
- ONLY 1/4 inch or shorter pyramid spikes are permitted. NO pin or needle spikes, spike elements, or any other type of spike will be allowed.
Open Track Season Updates
Beginning with the upcoming Open Track season (Jan. 4 through March 17), we will be implementing the following changes:
Tuesday: "College Night"
Moving forward, Tuesday night's 6-8 p.m. Open Track sessions (Jan. 4 through March 17) will be designated as College Night. College students and teams are NOT permitted to attend open track nights on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays.
College Nights will be specifically reserved for:
- College student-athletes
- College Track & Field and Cross Country teams from any university
- College students utilizing the facility individually
College Night pricing will be:
- $10 per college student (YSU students free w/ valid YSU ID)
- Maximum of $200 per college team
- Teams may bring more than 20 student-athletes, but the maximum team charge will remain $200.
- Payment must be made in advance or at the door via Cash, Venmo, or check made out to the Penguin Club with Track & Field in the memo line and handed to the worker at the entrance of WATTS. If using Venmo, the payment subject should be "Open Track Night - Date - and the individual's name or name of the University"
- Entrance will not be granted until payment is completed.
For example, a college team of 50 student-athletes would pay $200 total rather than $500. This is a per-school maximum. If a university brings both it's men's and women's teams, the maximum cost would remain $200 for that university.
All individuals attending College Night must present a valid college student ID from an accredited university in order to enter the facility.
High school students and non-college-aged community members will not be permitted to attend College Night. Individuals who do not have a valid college ID will not be permitted to enter. The purpose of College Night is to create an environment that protects both the college teams and coaches who utilize Open Track and the prospect-aged high school student-athletes who attend Open Track. Separating these groups on a designated evening helps us avoid situations that could potentially create concerns regarding impermissible recruiting or tampering under NCAA rules.
$1 Daily Open Track Admission Fee
We are also introducing a $1 per person, per day admission fee for Open Track from 6-8 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays (Jan. 4 through March 17).
This fee will apply to everyone entering the WATTS for Open Track, including:
- Athletes
- Coaches
- Parents
- Spectators
- Other community members
Payment Guidelines
- Attendees will be able to pay with Venmo or Cash only. (Venmo QR codes will be posted to scan and pay at the payment window in the entrance of WATTS)
- Cash is the preferred method of payment, but we cannot guarantee the ability to provide change. If you plan to pay with cash, we highly encourage you to bring a one-dollar bill.
- Venmo must be downloaded, set up, and ready to use before arriving at Open Track for those who plan to pay with Venmo. QR codes will be posted at the ticket window where guests can sign, pay, and then show proof of payment and the date of payment through the ticket window.
- Exceptions cannot be made for app-related issues, connectivity problems, forgotten passwords, or other payment-app difficulties.
- The $1 fee is required for each person, each day they attend Open Track.
Throwers are only permitted to throw on the turf field on Thursdays. Throwers are permitted to throw into the net in the back corner of WATTS behind the long jump runway on Mondays and Wednesdays.
We recognize that adding a fee, even a small one, may create an inconvenience for some members of our community. We truly understand that perspective. However, the continued growth of Open Track has also resulted in significantly increased use of the facility and its equipment. These additional fees will help us maintain the equipment and facilities that are so heavily utilized during Open Track Nights and, most importantly, help us keep this opportunity available to the community. Our goal is not to make Open Track more difficult to access. We want to make sure we can continue offering it in a way that is safe, sustainable, accessible, and beneficial to the student-athletes and teams who depend on this opportunity.
"No Open Track" Dates
Open Track Nights Occur on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays (Jan. 4 through March 17) except as listed below
1/14 - YSU Track Meet Setup - No Open track
1/18 - University Closed for MLK Day - No Open track
1/28 - YSU Track Meet Setup - No Open track
2/11 - Penguin Preview Day Setup - No Open track
2/24 & 2/25 - PAC Meet Championships - No Open track
3/1 through 3/4 - Spring Break - No Open track
3/8 through 3/17 - Open Track ONLY on Mondays and Wednesdays, NO THURSDAYS
*Open Track is subject to additional cancellations based on WATTS availability. We will do our best to communicate these as quickly as possible.
Important Facility Reminders
As Open Track continues to grow, we also need everyone's help in following the facility policies that allow us to safely operate the program.
Entry and Exit
- All Open Track participants must enter through the front main entrance of the WATTS.
- Anyone who enters through a back or side door will be asked to leave the facility and may be subject to a ban from future Open Track participation.
- This policy is important because we must know who is entering and leaving the facility at all times for safety and security purposes.
Restricted Equipment and Areas
Open Track participants are not permitted to utilize the following:
- Pole Vault Area
- YSU-owned throwing implements. The throws ring itself may be used.
- High jump ramps
- Plastic mini hurdles
- Wooden plyometric boxes
- Garage area behind the high jump mat
These restrictions are in place for liability and safety purposes and help us protect both participants and university equipment. Failure to follow these restrictions will result in removal from the facility and may impact an individual's ability to participate in future Open Track sessions. Please also be aware that security cameras are located throughout the facility and are regularly monitored.
Thank you for your continued support of Youngstown State University, the WATTS, and Open Track Nights. We are grateful for the community that has developed around this program and look forward to continuing to welcome you to the facility.
Open Track Assumption of Risk
Youngstown State University assumes no liability for lost or stolen items.
Youngstown State University's "Open Track" program may involve substantial risks of injury and other dangers associated with participation in such activities. Dangers include but are not limited to: broken bones, sprains, bruises, concussion, and heart attack. You should realize that there are inherent risks, hazards and dangers involved including the training, instruction and participation in such activities. It is the responsibility of each participant to engage only in activities for which he/she have the prerequisite skills, qualification and training. It is the participants' responsibility to follow the instructions provided during the activity and or any emergencies. The participant is responsible for monitoring their own physical condition throughout the duration of this program and should cease participation if any unusual symptoms (such as but not limited to: shortness of breath, dizziness, cramps, dehydration, increase of heart rate, respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, stroke or other injury) occur.
By voluntarily participating in Youngstown State University's "Open Track" program and utilizing the Watson & Tressel Training Site, you are affirming that you have read the above notice carefully and understand the inherent risk of participating in the above program. You hereby assume all risks of damage or injury, including death, that you may sustain while participating in or result of the aforementioned activity. You, along with your family, heirs, personal representatives do hereby waive and release Youngstown State University, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and their agents and employees for all claims of ordinary negligence, damages, demands, actions or other claims in any manner arising or growing out of your participation in Youngstown State University's "Open Track" program.
