JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — A former college cheerleader says her Hooters job knocked her off the squad.

Kimberly Sams says she’s 18 and declares, “I should be able to work where I choose.”

Sams says her coach dismissed her from the East Tennessee State University cheerleader squad three weeks ago.She says the coach made it clear a Hooters Girl isn’t welcome on the team. But the school’s athletic director won’t say why Kimberly Sams was dumped. Cheerleading coach Tammy Bartow says being a Hooters Girl isn’t acceptable employment for an E-T-S-U cheerleader. Sams notes she’s 18 and should be able to work wherever she wants. Some people object to the skimpy tops and short-shorts worn by the Hooters waitresses. But Sams says her cheerleader outfit is more revealing. She says at least at Hooters she wears pantyhose under her shorts.

A spokesman for Hooters says he’s not been following the case, but says “it’s a black eye” if the team doesn’t welcome Sams back.