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.
"Women in tight athletic shorts and tight, cleavage revealing tops."
No one ever gets a lap dance at Hooters.
There's a lot more 'tightness,' 'revelation' and cleavage at a beach or pool.
What is the REAL objection to Hooters? (you may have hit it)
I would never have made it as a Chippendale or even a A&F model. God didn't make me that way. So be it. Not all young women ought to be or want to be Hooters girls. Some do/will.
;-)
Only the most ardent fans of BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN are offended by Hooters girls...Beautiful women--yeah, that's atrocious...get a grip you sissies!
"Oh, well that makes it ok then. Teach those little boys early to leer at half dressed women. Notice she didn't say, "we have little girls birthday parties here." Wonder why."
As opposed to "leering" at half-dressed cheerleaders at a "wholesome" ball game?
And I have seen little girl's birthday parties there.
Thread over—You win.
All I know is what I read in the article. Seems pretty vague; which is why, if she pushes this, the university is in trouble.
BTW, they do have a recognized organization for the homosexual students. I would be interested in learning if participation in that disqualifies from being a cheerleader or anything else.
(I think I know the answer)
LOL! Oh Please! Have you seen some of the cheers they have these girls doing? Compare a girl serving food to the imitation rutting they do on the court - there is none. This is hypocrisy on the part of the university, tell me in which situation she has a minni skirt on with her legs spread wide more often, for the schools benefit or for her job?
You should certainly raise your family as you see fit.
However, as far as this story is concerned, the reality is that she was chosen to be a cheerleader and a Hooters waitress for the very same reasons.
I think "Hooters" adequately covers that territory.
If that were the case, they would need to end the recognition of the homo organization on campus.
Seems we have someone (coach's wife) with her knickers in a knot. As I said - private university? Go for it. But, you cannot enforce this in a public institution. It's too subjective, and the first judge that gets this case is going to jump ugly on the university.
"My feeling is that women who complain about Hooters are the ones that don't ever have a prayer of being hired there...you know the kind of women who hate those women who were blessed with good looks and a great body."
yeah, that's right. And the reason why men don't go to chippendales is because they haven't been blessed with a large penis and have no hope of being a dancer there. You need a bulge, doncha know.
I can't believe posters here are giving you such a hard time about trying to raise your kids without subjecting them the depravity of the new American culture.
I applaud you.
This is nothing new to her. Cheerleading squads have always had a strict code to follow. Same as the Miss America contests, while they model swimsuits they can't be vulgar in their attire such as skin tight tee's and micro mini shorts. She knew what she was doing and she should have been canned.
They are only allowed to wear tight-fitting revealing uniforms when representing the school. The school's are just protecting their monopoly at exploiting these young women.
DING!! DING!! DING!! DING!!
AND...WE HAVE A WINNNNNNNNNER!!!!
Question: Could she be kicked off for wearing a string bikini at the lake?
How about going to the mall w/o underwear with low rider jeans on?
How about if she were a waitress at a restaurant that served alcohol?
How about if she worked in a bookstore that sold Playboy?
Backrow: L to R, Coach Brittany Gambuzza, Jessie Smith, Kimberly Sams, Alyson Stinnett, Co-captain - Sommer Campbell, Captain - Kristin Miller, Co-captain - Kristen Kaudewitz, co-captain Whitney Keylon, Brandi Henderson, Amanda Garcia, Head Coach Tammy Bartow. Frontrow: L to R, Sunny McGhee, Ashley Mills, Hannah Holcomb, Lindsey Stanley, Mandy Coward, Shanna Greene, Sarah Worley, Kari Parkey, Leslie McKinney.
Thanks, I appreciate the support. The replies of some "conservatives" are what you would expect on a more liberal board.
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