Posted on 02/01/2006 3:43:36 AM PST by don-o
JOHNSON CITY - A former East Tennessee State University cheerleader contends that she was dismissed from the squad because of her job at a restaurant known for tight-fitting, scanty uniforms.
"I'm 18. I should be able to work where I choose," ETSU freshman Kimberly Sams said of her job at Johnson City's Hooters Restaurant. "Maybe if it was a strip club or something like that, it would be different. If the basketball team can come in here and eat, then I should be able to work (at Hooters)."
Sams, a Carter County resident who graduated with honors from Unaka High School last May, joined the ETSU squad at the start of the fall semester and started working at Hooters in November.
She cheered until about three weeks ago, when squad coach Tammy Bartow called her into the locker room after a basketball game and dismissed her.
Sams said Bartow, wife of head men's basketball coach Murry Bartow, made it clear that her off-campus job was the reason - a "Hooters Girl" was not in keeping with the ETSU squad's image.
"She (Bartow) didn't call me before the game," Sams said. "I had no warning that I was going to be kicked off."
Citing federal laws regarding students' privacy, ETSU Athletic Director Dave Mullins declined to comment on the specifics of Sams' dismissal, including whether she was dismissed because of her job, other than to say she violated athletic department policies and agreements between coach and student.
Mullins said department administrators reviewed Bartow's action, departmental policy and squad agreements before upholding the decision.
ETSU asks all student-athletes, including cheerleaders, to sign copies of the department's policy on ethical conduct and sportsmanship. Students must sign a compliance statement regarding such issues as drug use, class attendance and public criticism.
The statement specifies that students will "represent self, family and East Tennessee State University in attitude and conduct that is a credit to each."
Mullins said members of each team also are expected to adhere to policies set by the coach. Bartow's policy includes statements regarding expected behavior for cheerleaders.
"Behavior by a squad member that brings unwanted, unfair, negative attention to the squad can and will result in the member being removed from the squad," the policy reads. "The image and reputation of the squad members as a whole are the utmost importance."
Asked whether the policies addressed what kinds of jobs students could hold or places they could frequent, Mullins said they did not.
"I don't think any of our policies are going to specify certain individuals or companies or institutions," he said.
Sams said ETSU never informed her of any restrictions about places of employment, and she had no reservations about accepting a position waiting tables at Hooters when a classmate suggested that she apply.
"I used to come here all the time on Tuesday nights for karaoke and me and my friends would just come in and hang out," Sams said. "We have little boys have their birthday parties at Hooters. It's a very fun and relaxed environment.
"It's so much fun that it keeps my spirits up at school. I'm not stressed. I'm not working too hard. A Hooters Girl is like an all-American cheerleader."
Sams acknowledged that her Hooters uniform - orange shorts and a white T-shirt containing the restaurant's logo - is revealing.
"But so is my cheerleading skirt. I feel more embarrassed to wear my skirt sometimes at the games than I do walking around in my uniform," she said. "We wear pantyhose (at Hooters). We don't underneath my cheerleading skirt."
Mike McNeil, vice president of marketing for the Atlanta-based restaurant chain, said he had not heard about Sams' dismissal from the ETSU squad prior to a reporter's inquiry, but it sounded as if Sams was defending her position on her own.
"We support the employee and the statements she's making," McNeil said. "I think the best thing they (ETSU) can do is reinstate her to the cheerleading team ... otherwise, it's a black eye."
Sams said although she initially did well in her classes at ETSU, her grades went south over the course of the semester and she wound up failing some classes. Cheerleaders are required to maintain at least a 2.0 grade-point average. Sams said freshmen, however, were not held to that standard, and her grades were not cited in her dismissal.
Sams said she had hoped to bring up her grades this semester, but her academic status was in limbo because of a dispute regarding the return of her uniforms and money owed her for warm-up gear.
What other usually covered part of a man am I supposed to compare breasts to?
You appear to be ignoring the laws of supply and demand along with a great deal of "hardwired" biology in males.
Correct
My point was, men will use their brains to make money, for the most part. Some women feel that the only way to make money is by showing off or using their bodies in some way that is seen by some as degrading.
"Separating actual prostitution from Hooters, etc., I think its the other way around. It's women who are too smart to pay men to wear skimpy clothes, and guys who are dumb enough to spend their money just to look at a girl they'll never have"
It's not that women are too smart to pay men to wear skimpy clothes, we don't want to see men dressed that way. A man in a suit is a heck of alot sexier than a man in a "nutter."
"You appear to be ignoring the laws of supply and demand along with a great deal of "hardwired" biology in males."
You are correct, I sadly admit. I am fighting a losing battle. All I can do is try to raise my kids with high-values and morals and hope for the best when they come of age.
I see the FR burka police are present.
Fat chicks hate Hooters.
I think both men and women use the assets they have. The difference, really, is that we're generally the hornier bastards, so women are more able to play the sex card. Some guys can pull that off too, but very few.
It's not that women are too smart to pay men to wear skimpy clothes, we don't want to see men dressed that way. A man in a suit is a heck of alot sexier than a man in a "nutter."
Well, there is that factor too.
"Hmmm... Have you seen a college cheerleader lately? I bet her cheerleader outfit is more revealing than her Hooters outfit."
No, actually I haven't. We don't watch sports much. The kids don't like sports on tv and we don't go to games. Personally, I don't watch any sport that doesn't have a horse involved.
My posts are certainly not intended to dissuade you from "fighting the good fight".
The world definitely needs more gentlemen and women.
Now THAT is tagline material...
I would consider vaginas and penises to be equal partners as they are reproductive organs. Breasts do not fit that category.
Partners indeed! LOL!
I'm getting from the story that her grades started dropping after she started working at Hooter's. Sounds like to me she's on a downhill slide. I bet if she was in a job where she was using her brain instead of her body, her grades wouldn't be slipping.
FWIW, I agree with you, Hooter's isn't a place for small children and I have no problem with adults patronizing the place. If you'll read through the posts to me, you'll see that some people feel I'm sheltering my children by not taking them there.
I was under the impression that men saw breasts as sex objects.
Can't serve food showing off the vagina. Unless you are walking on your hands.
No. As a public institution thay cannot make any rule they choose. And that is the question at hand here.
It's the one in San Francisco.
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