Tirrell Burton is recognized this
evening, for his contributions in athletics to Stewart
School, as well as for his accomplishments as a
player, and coach at Miami University, and the
University of Michigan. Tirrell, known to close
friends as “Turtle”, was a four letter winner at
Stewart in the sports of football, basketball,
baseball, and track. He went to state 3 times as a
track athlete, and had the third fastest time in the
country in the 220 yard dash in 1956. A rare two sport
athlete at Miami University, Tirrell excelled in both
football and track, and earned All MAC honors in
football in 1955, and in track, 1952, 1953, and 1954
In track, Burton captured the MAC low hurdles
championship three consecutive years, while placing in
both high jump and the 100 yard dash. Drafted by the
Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League in
1956, Tirrell Burton played one season for the Ottawa
Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League before
choosing a career in education.
A committed Cincinnati Public School teacher for 11 years,
Tirrell was lured back to Miami University in 1969, to
coach football as an assistant to Bill Mallory, then went
on to the University of Michigan with former Miami Coach,
Bo Schembechler, from 1970 to 1997. Described by admirers
as “an amazing athlete”, it is with enormous pride that we
induct Tirrell Burton into the Talawanda Athletic Hall of
Fame.
