Granite School District Cheerleaders Left Without Uniforms, Shoes, or Support as Coach Mismanages Funds

Misty Burke alleges that Hunter High School’s head cheer coach, Natalie Escobar, has misused cheer funds and failed to provide cheer shoes, cheer liner, or the two sets of warm-ups that come with the $1,500 fees.

Coach Escobar embarked on a new journey with Hunter High School in March 2025.

A high school cheerleading squad is facing a disappointing setback after discovering their team’s funds have been misused by their own coach.

An internal review found the coach, who was responsible for managing the team’s account, used the money for unauthorized expenses. The funds were intended for new uniforms, competition travel, and essential equipment.

The situation came to light when parents inquired about why the promised new equipment had never been ordered. This incident serves as a difficult lesson on the importance of financial transparency, even in school sports.

Granite School District Cheerleaders Left Without Uniforms, Shoes, or Support

Parents at Hunter High School are outraged, alleging that the head cheer coach has mismanaged team funds, leaving cheerleaders without essential gear and proper support.

The controversy centers on Head Cheer Coach Natalie Escobar.

According to Misty Burke’s Facebook post, the cheerleaders have not received their promised cheer shoes, liners, or two sets of warm-up outfits.

Their gear has still not arrived, with the last Hunter High School football game of the season.

Burke detailed a list of grievances in her viral post.

She alleges that Coach Escobar lied on her resume, misused cheer funds, and failed in her basic duties, leaving the team unprepared and embarrassing them during performances.

The frustration extends beyond missing uniforms. Parents claim the district has dismissed their repeated complaints, referring them to a student advocate who did nothing to resolve the issue.

Similarly, they accused the coach of engaging in unprofessional conduct, including using profanity with students and making mocking comments to them.

Financial transparency is another primary concern.

Burke requested a finance report and found it was not itemized, showing large cash withdrawals with no receipts.

One example given was the coach paying her sister an undisclosed amount from cheer funds for team photos, who then charged families $90 for just four digital copies.

Despite parents taking their concerns to the athletic director, assistant principal, and even the superintendent, they feel they are being ignored.

The district’s reported excuse is that Coach Escobar is “all they have,” as no one else applied for the position.

This issue is one of accountability and student well-being for parents like Misty and Kenneth Burke.

Cheerleaders are left without the gear they paid for and without the supportive, professional coaching they deserve as the season comes to a close.

In Case You Didn’t Know

• Misty Burke has been married to Kenneth Burke, and they have three children.
• Their daughter, Leah, cheers for the Hunter High Wolverines.
• Kenneth works as a water tech at Murray City Public Works.