Poppy Bilderbeck
A cheerleader has spoken out about their 'malicious' coach whose 'intentional' actions left the group with 'burning' hands.
Evans Middle School in Lubbock, Texas, has launched an investigation after thirteen cheerleaders were left with first and second-degree burns on their hands following a session with their coach.
On Wednesday (October 9), the 'red' team of the cheerleading squad at the school were allegedly forced to take part in a 'punishment' session by their coach at around 2:00pm.
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Reports state the group were made to perform 'bear crawls' and 'crab walks' on a hot outdoor track - which one parent said measured a temperature of at least 125 degrees - after they 'disrespected' their coach by performing cheer at a football game she didn't want them too.
The coach allegedly threatened the girls' future careers if they didn't abide by her instructions.
And a cheerleader - who wished to remain anonymous - told Everything Lubbock the team told their coach their hands were 'burning' but 'she said she didn't care'.
"She made us go back down on the track," they added. "It was malicious. It was intentional."
Angel Thompson, mom of one of the cheerleaders, said her daughter revealed what happened when she picked her up from school.
"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 shows me her hands."
And the school has since addressed the incident too.
A spokesperson for Evans Middle School said Lubbock ISD administration had been made 'aware of an incident at Evans Middle School involving a teacher’s disciplinary method that resulted in several students receiving burns on their hands'.
They confirmed the students were 'directed' by the teacher to perform 'bear crawls' on the outdoor track which had been 'heated by the day's high temperatures' and that 'multiple students' ended up 'injured' as a result.
One cheerleader is even reported as having been seen by the University Medical Center burn unit.
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 said it has launched an investigation into the incident and the teacher has been placed on 'administrative leave pending the outcome'.
It resolved: "We want to express our deep concern and regret for the pain and distress this has caused the students and their families. No child should ever be subjected to harm 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 deviation from those standards is thoroughly 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."
UNILAD has contacted Evans Middle School for comment.