A Sales family portrait of five people standing together on a dirt path in a wooded area. The group includes three children of different ages and two adults. One adult wears a cowboy hat. The family is smiling and posing together, with trees and natural brush visible in the background. They are dressed in casual clothing in earth tones and white.

LCU Community Rallies Around Cheer Coach After Fire Destroys Family Home

04.14.2025 | By: Chris Due (chris.due@lcu.edu)

Fundraising efforts underway to support Whitney Sales and her family following devastating fire in Idalou

LUBBOCK, Texas (April 14, 2025) — In the early morning hours of Sunday, April 13, tragedy struck the Sales family when a fire consumed their home in Idalou, Texas. The fire, which remains under investigation, resulted in a total loss of the residence and all belongings inside. Fortunately, no one was injured, as the family was away at the time. A nighttime photograph of a single-story building engulfed in flames. Intense fire is consuming the roof and structure, with bright orange flames and thick smoke billowing into the dark sky. The building appears to be in a rural or isolated area with open space around it. Emergency vehicle lights are visible in the distance on the right side of the image.

A nighttime photograph of a single-story building engulfed in flames. Intense fire is consuming the roof and structure, with bright orange flames and thick smoke billowing into the dark sky. The building appears to be in a rural or isolated area with open space around it. Emergency vehicle lights are visible in the distance on the right side of the image.

Whitney Sales, head coach of Lubbock Christian University's cheerleading team, was in Florida with her squad for a national competition when the fire occurred. Her husband Weston and their three sons—Stedson, Sterling and Summit—were also not at home during the blaze.

Multiple area fire departments responded to the emergency, including units from Idalou, Roosevelt, New Deal, Ransom Canyon, Carlisle and Abernathy. The Idalou Police Department and Lubbock County Sheriff's Office assisted in securing the scene while crews worked to contain the fire, which was extinguished by 3:45 a.m.
Daylight photograph of the burnt remains of a brick building after a fire. Only the charred walls and foundation remain standing under a blue sky with scattered clouds. The structure is completely gutted, with all interior components destroyed. The ruins sit on dry, dusty land with sparse vegetation and utility poles visible in the background.

Daylight photograph of the burnt remains of a brick building after a fire. Only the charred walls and foundation remain standing under a blue sky with scattered clouds. The structure is completely gutted, with all interior components destroyed. The ruins sit on dry, dusty land with sparse vegetation and utility poles visible in the background.

Now, the LCU community and surrounding areas are rallying in an outpouring of love and support for the Sales family during this incredibly difficult time. Donations of clothing, gift cards, and financial contributions are encouraged and can be delivered to the LCU Athletic Offices inside the Rip Griffin Center. Those wishing to give in other ways may contact Kim Wheeler at the athletic department via email at kim.wheeler@lcu.edu to make arrangements.

Additionally, A GoFundMe campaign established by the LCU Athletic Department is now live and accepting donations at http://www.lcuchaps.com/salesfamily. Close-up interior view through a window frame of a severely fire-damaged building. The image shows charred wooden framing studs, burnt debris, and the skeletal remains of what was once an interior room. Through the damaged framework, you can see the sky and other parts of the destroyed structure. A brick wall remains partially intact at the bottom of the frame.