JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (AP) -- 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 wouldn't say why Sams was dumped.

Sams says she knew some might object to her Hooters uniform, a snug white top and skimpy orange shorts.

But she says sometimes she's "more embarrassed to wear" her cheerleading skirt at games.

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.

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