Middle school team attends party at Hooters after firing of coach

CORBETT, Ore., Nov. 10 (UPI) -- An Oregon middle school football coach said his end-of-season party for the students at a Hooters restaurant was a success despite widespread criticism.

Randy Burbach said he was apprehensive about choosing Hooters as the location, but had taken his own two sons to the restaurant when they were 10 and 12.

He previously argued that the restaurant was an appropriate place.

"I believe this is a fine venue," Burbach said last week. "It's not a strip club. If you have a dirty mind, you'll find dirt."

Burbach refused to move the location of the party, which was held Saturday, and the Corbett Middle School fired him from his volunteer position.

All 23 members of the team weren't at the party, The (Portland) Oregonian reported, but news cameras were already at the restaurant when the boys arrived.

One player's father, Constantine Leontescu, said they attended the party after having a family talk about how to respect women, The Oregonian reported.

"He just wants to be with his teammates mainly and have a good time," he said.