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.
"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."
I'm siding with the University. Sounds like they want their cheerleaders to be seen in a certain way, wholesome young ladies. Half dressed waitresses doesn't fit the image they are trying to project. And it sounds like she signed an agreement stating such.
I will need to make a more detailed study before I can decide.
It does take extensive sampling to appreciate the nuances.
Hooters is not a lascivious skin joint. >>>
The wife doesn't buy that for a New York minute.
No, we don't go to NASCAR races or the lake. I have 5 kids that I'm trying to teach morals and values, so we don't go to places where drinking, smoking, cussing and showing as much skin as possible is the norm. Does that make me prudish? So be it. I'm just trying to do the right thing by my kids. I now have to go get them up and get them ready for school, I'll have to continue this later.
Tuffy --
Have you WATCHED what modern-era college cheerleaders DO when they cheer, particularly at basketball games?
Ahem ...
Wholesome AIN'T the word.
IT's not your father's rah-rah sis-boom-bah
My daughter will NOT be a cheerleader (how's THAT for attitude!)
Sure, their customers are there only for the fries.
Take her to ANY beach bar or restaurant on the lower coasts of Florida.
Then get her to actually enter a Hooters.
THEN ask her to make an informed judgement.
FWIW, I don't regularly patronize Hooters because I prefer different restaurants' food. But I have a factual basis for my current opinion.
If she really got 'fired' cuz she works at Hooters, then she has grounds to protest. This is PC prejudicial action by the school.
I BET YOU that if she worked at an abortion clinic all would be OK. (there I stirred THAT pot too!)
Actually, the cover story is "for the wings"
/ loves the original Hooters in Clearwater, Florida.
// my whole family loves it, in fact.
Tuffy -- everything you wrote is fine and I support your opinion, moral compass and your right. The only error in your statement is that "showing as much skin as possible" does NOT apply to Hooters girls.
Paul was very instructive to Christians in his letter to the Romans -- Chapter 14 in particular. Verses 1-5, and verse 5 in sharp focus.
If Hooters is wrong for you and your family, then it is in fact wrong for you. Don't judge others just yet. (not that you were directly)
Good luck with the kids and school.
There's the money shot of the article.
I wouldn't want my daughter working there, but this young lady has a point...
"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."
As if cheerleading uniforms are modest. Unitard, anyone?
Did the cheer squad's policy (signed by all members of the squad) spell out what specific jobs the student-athletes could not hold? I somehow doubt it.
Many cheerleading outfits are more revealing that the official uniform of Hooters...
Does that make me prudish
Where do you take your family? I have a feeling they may resent you when they realize you've kept them so sheltered but, they're your children and you can raise them as you see fit.
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