ETHS Names Gym In Honor Of Former Coach, Teacher, Co-Athletic Director

EVANSTON, IL — Evanston Township High School officials held a dedication ceremony last week for the Shirley Nannini Gymnasium, named in honor of the first woman to be a two-sport head coach at ETHS, the first woman athletic administrator in school history and the first woman to coach a team to a state championship for the school.

During her 33 years at ETHS, Nannini won the Illinois Badminton Coach of the Year multiple times, served as president of the Badminton Coaches Association and received the Distinguished Service Award from the Illinois Athletic Directors Association. She has also been inducted into the Illinois Girls Coaches Association and Evanston Township High School halls of fame.

Many former students who played under Nannini's leadership attended Friday's ceremony, showing their support and speaking about the effect she had on their lives, according to school officials.

“Time with Nannini is like a warm hug,” said Sura DuBow Lennon, who played badminton from 1984 to 1988.

“The feeling you get after spending time with her, you walk away with a smile on your face, feeling like you’ve been heard, feeling good about yourself and life, and feeling like you can tackle the world,” Lennon said.

“Nannini dedicated herself to education while uplifting the underserved and the people with the smallest voices at ETHS” said Carlita Matthews Heinrich, an ETHS badminton team member from 1986 to 1990.

“She was and remains to be a stellar role model. She’s charismatic, innovative, and a true humanitarian," Heinrich said. I’m only one of many to receive her kindness and generosity.”

According to school officials, Nannini worked to develop gender equality within the athletics program during her time as an administrator with former co-athletic director and ETHS track coach Willie May.

“Shirley’s impact on sports at ETHS continues to be felt today,” ETHS Athletic Direcotr Chris Livatino said in a statement. “She was a tremendous leader, who opened doors and removed barriers for our student-athletes by being a strong advocate for gender equality in sports. As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the passage of Title IX, it’s particularly fitting to honor Shirley.”

Nannini retired from ETHS in 2010 and is now the founder and executive director of FreshLens Chicago, which provide photography educational to students from underresourced areas of the city.