Texas Cheerleaders Left with Severe Burns After Coaches Punishment

Lubbock Cheer Coach Under Investigation After Students Suffer Burns During Punishment

Thirteen eighth-grade cheerleaders from Evans Middle School in Lubbock are recovering from burns on their hands after being forced to complete a harsh physical punishment in extreme heat. The girls, part of the school’s "red" cheer team, claim their coach made them perform "bear crawls" and "crab walks" on an outdoor track, which had become dangerously hot under the afternoon sun.

Why The Cheerleaders Had To Do Punishments

The incident took place after the team performed a cheer routine at a football game that the coach had reportedly told them not to do. The coach considered their actions disrespectful and ordered the students to complete the grueling exercises as punishment. The cheerleaders said the punishment began around 2 p.m. Wednesday afternoon when temperatures on the track had reached an estimated 125 degrees.

One of the cheerleaders, who wished to remain anonymous, said they tried to tell the coach their hands were burning, but their complaints were ignored. "She didn’t care, and she made us go back down on the track," the cheerleader recounted.

According to the students and their parents, the girls were instructed to continue the punishment for a mile, but many couldn’t complete more than two laps due to the intense pain. Some became physically ill during the process. After the punishment, several cheerleaders sought medical attention from the school nurse, and at least one was later seen at the University Medical Center burn unit.

Parents Were Shocked When They Saw What Happened

Parents were shocked when their daughters came home with severe burns. Angel Thompson, whose daughter is one of the injured cheerleaders, described her reaction: "I asked [my daughter], ‘How was school?’ She then showed me her hands, and I couldn’t believe it."

Parents said they were never notified by the school about their daughters' injuries. One mother, who also requested anonymity, called the coach's actions "malicious" and is urging for criminal charges to be filed.

What Happened To The Coach After The Incident?

The coach has been placed on administrative leave while the school district and local authorities investigate the incident. Lubbock Independent School District (LISD) issued a statement addressing the situation. "We are heartbroken over these events, as the safety and well-being of our students is our top priority," the district said. "This type of incident does not reflect the standards or values of Lubbock ISD or Evans Middle School."

The statement added that the district is thoroughly reviewing the situation and is committed to ensuring incidents like this do not happen again. The investigation is ongoing, and parents and the community are waiting for the outcome, hoping for accountability and changes to prevent future incidents.

The cheerleaders are now recovering from first- and second-degree burns, and many parents are calling for action to ensure that student safety is prioritized in all disciplinary measures.