**Texas Middle School Cheer Coach Under Investigation for Alleged Punishment Leading to Severe Burns**

A middle school in Texas is under scrutiny after a cheerleading coach allegedly forced her team members to crawl on an extremely hot track, resulting in severe burns. The coach has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into the matter.

The incident took place on October 9 at Evans Middle School, when thirteen eighth-grade cheerleaders were reportedly punished for performing a cheer that was not approved by their coach. According to the students and their parents, the coach found their actions disrespectful and decided to discipline them by making them perform "bear crawls" and "crab walks" on a track with a surface temperature of over 125 degrees Fahrenheit.

Angel Thompson, one of the parents, recounted her daughter’s painful experience after the punishment. She described how her child returned home with visible burns on her hands after being forced to crawl on the scorching track. Despite complaints of burning pain from the cheerleaders, the coach allegedly insisted they continue or risk their future participation in cheerleading.

The severe practice resulted in some students suffering first and second-degree burns on their hands. Some had to seek medical attention, with one being treated at the Texas Tech University Medical Center burn unit. Compounding the outrage, parents were not informed by the school that their children had visited the nurse.

The Lubbock Independent School District expressed deep concern and regret over the incident, emphasizing their commitment to student safety. They announced that the coach has been placed on administrative leave as both the district and local police investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. In their statement, the district assured that measures would be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.

This isn’t the first time a Texas school has faced controversy over similar disciplinary methods. In 2022, another public school came under fire when students reported sustaining burns from exercises forced upon them by a coach as punishment during high temperatures.

The investigation continues as the community awaits further details on the outcome of the disciplinary actions taken against the coach.