Parents are calling for the coach to receive a jail sentence after thirteen Texas cheerleaders suffered severe burns from her punishment.
In Lubbock, Texas, a group of cheerleaders from Evans Middle School experienced a shocking incident that left them with burns on their hands.
The situation arose after their coach punished them for what she deemed a “disrespectful” performance at a recent football game.
A Texas cheerleader coach implemented “barbaric” punishment on her middle school students
On October 9, the cheerleaders were part of the “red” team and were reportedly forced to participate in a punishment session.
This session included performing bear crawls and crab walks on a hot outdoor track.
Some parents stated that temperatures reached as high as 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
The cheerleaders had performed at a football game despite the coach’s instructions not to do so, leading to the harsh punishment.
One cheerleader, who chose to remain anonymous, shared her experience.
She mentioned that the team complained to the coach about their burning hands during the session.
However, the coach allegedly dismissed their concerns, saying she did not care and insisted they continue.
The cheerleader described the situation as “malicious” and suggested that the coach’s actions were intentional.
“She made us go back down on the track,” they added. “It was malicious. It was intentional,” the student said.
Parents demand jail sentence to coach after her harsh punishment
Angel Thompson, the mother of one of the girls, recounted her daughter’s experience after picking her up from school.
When she asked about her daughter’s day, the girl revealed the punishment and showed her mother the burns on her hands.
This revelation shocked Thompson, who felt it was unacceptable for any child to endure such treatment.
“I had asked [my daughter], ‘Are you okay? How was school?’” she said.
“She put our stuff down in the car, went to sit down and said, ‘Mom, you want to know how my day was in cheer?”
“I said, ‘Yeah.’ She told me that they got a punishment, and showed me her hands,” Thompson recalled.
By the time the students got home, many had first- and second-degree burns.
They showed pictures of the blisters on their hands and arms for the investigation.
Some students were treated by the school nurse, but at least one needed to go to the burn unit at Texas Tech University Medical Center.
The school responded to the incident
Following the incident, Evans Middle School released a statement acknowledging the situation.
A spokesperson for the school confirmed that the administration knew about the injuries several students suffered from the coach’s disciplinary actions.
They stated that the cheerleaders were directed to perform bear crawls on the heated track, leading to multiple injuries.
The spokesperson expressed deep concern for the students and emphasized that their safety and well-being are the school’s top priority.
They also noted that the methods used by the teacher did not represent the values of the school or the Lubbock Independent School District (ISD).
The spokesperson continued: “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.”
“We are addressing this matter with the utmost urgency, and are fully committed to investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.”
The school has placed the involved teacher on administrative leave while conducting an investigation into the incident.
Social media reactions
The incident has sparked outrage among parents and the community, with many expressing their concerns on social media.
Supporters of the cheerleaders have called for accountability and a reassessment of the school’s disciplinary practices.
The coach should be jailed for her amusement, one user said.
I hope someone got arrested, the second user said.
That woman definitely deserves jail time, the third user commented.
Hopefully, the parents sue and get the coach fired, another wrote.