Thirteen cheerleaders from Evans Middle School in Lubbock, Texas, found themselves at the center of controversy after suffering severe burns on October 9. The incident occurred when their coach allegedly implemented harsh punishment following their performance of what she deemed to be "disrespectful" cheers during a football game. The punishment involved forcing the eighth-grade girls to bear crawl and crab walk on a track exposed to scorching temperatures, with surface readings reportedly reaching around 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
The extreme heat, combined with the physical exertion demanded by the coach, led to many of the girls experiencing first and second-degree burns on their hands. These injuries transpired as they struggled to comply with the coach's orders of crawling for one mile on the heated asphalt, with several girls unable to complete even two laps due to pain and exhaustion. "We told her our hands are burning, and she said she didn’t care," stated one cheerleader who preferred to remain anonymous, emphasizing the distress the team faced during this time.
The coach's approach, perceived by many as intentional and malicious, sparked outrage from parents and community members alike. Angel Thompson, mother of one of the cheerleaders, shared her shock upon discovering her daughter’s injuries. "I had asked her, 'Are you okay? How was school?'" Thompson recounted. Her daughter responded, showing her painful burns and detailing the punishment they endured. Parents reported alarming quotes from the coach, including threats to the cheerleaders' future success should they not complete their punishment.
Despite the intense complaints from the girls, the coach insisted they continue, displaying little regard for their health and well-being. One parent mentioned, "It was at least 125 degrees outside," reinforcing the unsuitability of the conditions under which the students were made to perform such physically demanding exercises.
After the incident, some cheerleaders sought immediate medical attention, with at least one taken to the Texas Tech University Medical Center’s burn unit for treatment. The school's administration acted swiftly, placing the coach on administrative leave as investigations commenced. Lubbock Independent School District (ISD) expressed deep regret over the incident, emphasizing their prioritization of student safety and outlining their commitment to addressing the situation thoroughly.
"We are heartbroken over these events, as the safety and well-being of our students is our top priority. This type of incident does not reflect the standards or values of Lubbock ISD and Evans Middle School," stated spokespersons from the district. They assured the community of their seriousness about investigating the coach's conduct and taking necessary steps to prevent similar occurrences from happening again.
Parents demand accountability, with some considering potential criminal charges against the coach. Their distress is amplified by the fact they were not informed by the school about their children's injuries but rather learned about the situation from their daughters’ accounts post-incident. Some parents are now vocal advocates, urging for policies and protections to prevent such dangerous disciplinary practices from taking place within schools.
Recent years have seen other troubling incidents within Texas school systems concerning improper disciplinary actions. For example, just two years prior, public schools faced criticism when students reported burns similar to those experienced by the cheerleading team following harsh physical exercises sanctioned by staff members.
Moving forward, as investigations continue, it has become increasingly clear to parents and members of the community how urgently there is the need for discussions surrounding the safety and treatment of students involved in athletics and extracurricular activities. The Lubbock community awaits the outcome of the investigation, hoping for swift and appropriate actions to be taken to uphold the rights and safety of its students.
