Shirlee Bertolini may never retire her batons, but she will retire from coaching.
Bertolini came to the University of Arizona in 1954 to be the university's first featured twirler. She was already a national twirling champion.
After earning her degree, she stayed to coach twirlers for the next 60 years. She donates all of her salary to the Shirlee Bertolini twirler scholarship fund and has produced many championship twirlers in her coaching career.
She will be celebrated during the UA homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018.
Shirlee Bertolini to pass the baton at the University of Arizona
Shirlee Bertolini
Shirlee Bertolini struts her stuff in the University of Arizona cactus garden in 1954. (Photo courtesy of Shirlee Bertolini)
Shirlee Bertolini
Shirlee Bertolini with Bill Lester in 1954. (Photo courtesy of Shirlee Bertolini)
Shirlee Bertolini
Shirlee Bertolini jumps with Bill Lester and Ken Teel in a 1950's photo (Photo courtesy of Shirlee Bertolini)
Shirlee Bertolini
Shirlee Bertolini twirling fire in Native American costume 1955. (Photo courtesy of Shirlee Bertolini)
Shirlee Bertolini
Shirlee Bertolini, the first female twirler at the University of Arizona and twirling coach at UA since 1954, wipes a tear during a halftime homecoming ceremony in her honor during the Arizona vs Oregon State football game on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2004. Bertolini also received the baton from retired band director Jack Lee. She donates all of her salary a twirler scholarship fund in her name. (Jim Davis, Arizona Daily Star)
Shirlee Bertolini
Shirlee Bertolini twirles a flaming baton during a UA twirler practice on October 20, 2004 in Tucson, Arizona. Bertolini was the first recruited twirler at the UA in 1954, and she has been there ever since as the twirling coach.
Shirlee Bertolini
Shirlee Bertolini reaches toward a flaming baton, held by Alison Milco during a UA twirler practice on October 20, 2004 in Tucson, Arizona. Bertolini was the first recruited twirler at the UA in 1954, and she has been there ever since as the twirling coach.
Shirlee Bertolini
Shirlee Bertolini watches batons fly in the air during a UA twirler practice on October 20, 2004 in Tucson, Arizona. Bertolini was the first recruited twirler at the UA in 1954, and she has been there ever since as the twirling coach.
Shirlee Bertolini
Shirlee Bertolini talks to the twirling team right after a UA twirler practice on October 20, 2004 in Tucson, Arizona. Bertolini was the first recruited twirler at the UA in 1954, and she has been there ever since as the twirling coach.
Johanna Eubank is an online content producer for the Arizona Daily Star and tucson.com. Contact her at jeubank@tucson.com
Johanna Eubank
Online producer
