Thirteen cheerleaders at Evans Middle School in Lubbock, Texas are suffering from first and second-degree burns on their hands after they said their cheer coach made them perform “bear crawls” and “crab walks” on a hot outdoor track as punishment. The girls, who are all eighth graders and on the “red” team for the squad, told EverythingLubbock.com they were punished for performing a cheer at a football game that she didn’t want them to do, which she found disrespectful.
The girls were instructed to do bear crawls and crab walks for a mile, but most of them couldn’t continue after two laps due to the intense pain, with some even becoming physically ill. The punishment took place on a scorching Wednesday afternoon at around 2 p.m., with the track temperature reaching at least 125 degrees. Despite the girls expressing that their hands were burning, the coach allegedly disregarded their pain and forced them to continue.
Some of the girls sought help from the school nurse after the ordeal, but their parents claimed they weren’t informed by the school about their daughters’ injuries. As a result, the cheerleaders ended up with severe burns, with at least one being treated at the University Medical Center burn unit. The parents of the affected cheerleaders are seeking criminal charges against the teacher and have initiated an investigation with the police.
In response to the incident, Lubbock ISD released a statement expressing their awareness of the situation and their commitment to investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. The teacher involved has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The district emphasized that the safety and well-being of students are their top priorities and that such incidents do not reflect their standards or values.
The statement also highlighted that Lubbock ISD has policies in place regarding appropriate disciplinary actions, and any deviations from those standards are thoroughly reviewed. The district reassured the community that they are addressing the issue in accordance with district protocols and applicable laws to ensure a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for all students. The district expressed deep concern and regret for the pain and distress caused to the students and their families, emphasizing that no child should ever be subjected to harm in a learning environment.
