UGA cheerleading coach appeals firing

<p>The University of Georgia cheerleading coach fired after a Jewish cheerleader had accused her of discrimination filed an official appeal Thursday to get her job back.</p><p>Coach Marilou Braswell submitted the written appeal Thursday morning and athletic director Damon Evans said he would respond in five days, said Braswell's husband, Matt Braswell.</p><p>The meeting took "about 60 seconds," he said. He would not provide details of her appeal, saying a copy would be made available to the media within the next few days.</p><p>Evans confirmed that he met with Braswell with regard to her appeal and that he will respond within five days. He would not comment further, saying it is a personnel issue.</p><p>Braswell was fired for "discourteous and disruptive behavior" when she told the cheerleading squad about the discrimination allegations, according to Braswell's termination letter.</p><p>The cheerleader, 22-year-old Jaclyn Steele, claimed her chances of making the football cheerleading squad were hurt because she didn't participate in Bible studies and pregame prayers encouraged by Braswell.</p><p>Steele was on the football cheering team her freshman year, but then was moved to the men's basketball squad and the women's basketball squad. The UGA athletic department promoted Steele back to the football squad for this season without having to go through tryouts.</p><p>Braswell has said that athletic officials took this action to try and avoid a possible lawsuit by Steele.</p><p>Braswell, a former UGA cheerleader, was in her 12th year as coach.</p>

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