LUBBOCK, Texas — Thirteen cheerleaders from Evans High School in Lubbock, Texas, suffer first- and second-degree burns on their hands after they say their cheer coach forced them to perform “bear crawls” and “crab walks” in a hot outdoor court while punishment.
The girls, who are all eighth graders and on the team’s “red” team, told EverythingLubbock.com that they were punished for cheering at a soccer game that she didn’t want them to do. They said the coach found it “disrespectful.”
What came next for the parents and children was a nightmare.
“I had asked [my daughter]’Are you OK? How was school? He left our things in the car, went to sit down and said, ‘Mom, do you want to know how my day was in terms of joy?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ She told me they got a punishment and shows me her hands,” said Angel Thompson, mother of an Evans High School cheerleader.
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The girls were asked to walk like bears and crabs for a mile, but most were unable to continue after two laps due to pain, some even becoming physically ill. The girls said the punishment occurred Wednesday afternoon around 2 p.m. One of the parents went to the rink to check the temperature that afternoon and said it was at least 125 degrees.
“We told her our hands were burning and she said she didn’t care and made us go back down to the floor,” said one of the cheerleaders, who asked to remain anonymous.
According to the parents, the coach gleefully threatened the girls’ future careers if they did not carry out the punishment. Afterward, some girls went to see the school nurse, but still said they did not receive a call from the school about their daughters’ injuries. The cheerleaders ended up with first and second degree burns. At least one cheerleader was seen in the burn unit at University Medical Center.
“It was malicious. It was intentional,” said the mother of one of the cheerleaders, who asked to remain anonymous.
Parents expect criminal charges to be filed against the teacher and said an investigation with police is underway.
The teacher was placed on administrative leave, pending an investigation.
You can read Lubbock ISD’s full statement below.
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“Lubbock ISD administration is aware of an incident at Evans Middle School involving a teacher’s disciplinary approach that resulted in several students suffering burns to their hands. The teacher led a group of students on “bear walks” on the outdoor track, which was heated by the day’s high temperatures. This action resulted in several students being injured.
We are heartbroken by 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. We are addressing this matter with the utmost urgency and are fully committed to investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. The teacher involved has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of this investigation.
We want to express our deep concern and regret for the pain and distress this has caused students and their families. No child should be harmed in a learning environment and we are fully committed to ensuring that incidents like this do not happen again.
Lubbock ISD has policies in place regarding appropriate disciplinary actions and any deviations from those standards are carefully reviewed. We want to assure our community that we are addressing this issue in accordance with district protocols and applicable laws. Our goal is to maintain a safe, respectful and supportive environment for all students.”
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