Rosemary Dolatowski grew up during an era without competitive high school sports for girls. Despite the lack of high school opportunities, she developed her tennis skills through a summer recreation program in her hometown of Highland, Indiana, where she competed in local tournaments.

After graduating high school, Rosemary attended Indiana University to study nursing where she tried out and made the IU varsity women’s tennis team. A highlight of her college career was competing at the Big Ten tournament at the Nielsen Tennis Stadium on the University of Wisconsin campus. In 1972, following the passage of Title IX, a federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in educational programs and activities, Rosemary joined the Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) men’s tennis team while completing her degree at the IUPUI Medical Center in Indianapolis. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University and later a Master of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

In 1986, Rosemary was hired by the Burlington Area School District as the Director of Health Services. Her passion for tennis and interest in coaching led to her appointment as the Burlington High School girls' head tennis coach in the fall of 1988. Combining her skills as an accomplished player and her dedication to nursing, this was a dream for her. After 30 years as the Director of Health Services, Rosemary retired but continued to coach tennis for a total of 35 years. She also served as Ken Savaglia’s assistant coach for the boys’ tennis team at Burlington High School for 18 years.

During her tenure as the girls’ head coach, Rosemary sent numerous players to the WIAA State Individual Tournament, with appearances in 1989, 1995, 1998, 2000, and every consecutive year from 2005 to 2014. In 2013, the girls’ team made history by winning the WIAA Sectional Championship and becoming the first tennis team at Burlington High School to qualify for the WIAA State Team Tennis Tournament. 

Rosemary’s coaching achievements include leading teams to five conference/divisional championships, one sectional championship, and one sectional runner-up title. She was named Racine County Coach of the Year in 1988 and Southeast Wisconsin Coach of the Year in 2013. In 2022, she was inducted into the Wisconsin High School Tennis Coaches Association (WHSTCA) Hall of Fame. She was a WHSTCA member for 35 years, serving as secretary for 25 of those years. 

Beyond her school coaching roles, Rosemary contributed significantly to the broader tennis community. She served on the WIAA Tennis Advisory Committee and was hired in 2020 as the Meet Manager for both the WIAA Alternate Individual and State Team Tournaments. She conducted summer tennis camps for youth and adults in Burlington for 30 years and worked as a senior counselor at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Summer Tennis Camp for 20 years. Additionally, she taught tennis at the Four Lakes Athletic and Lake Geneva Tennis Clubs. Rosemary was also an active member of the Burlington Coaching Association, including serving a term as president. She attributes this association to fostering her coaching skills.

Rosemary continues to live in Burlington, where she and her late husband, Tom, raised their two children, Elizabeth and Michael. She had the joy of coaching both children during their tennis careers at Burlington High School. Currently, she enjoys playing and teaching tennis at the Lake Geneva Tennis Club and continues her nursing passion as a volunteer at a local free clinic.

Ellie Grandi, a 2011 graduate of Burlington High School, participated in track & field, tennis, and cheerleading.

Ellie excelled in Track & Field as a varsity athlete all four years, claiming the WIAA State Championship title in High Jump in 2010. She also placed third at State in both 2009 and 2011. In 2010, Ellie set the Burlington High School’s Women’s High Jump record with a leap of 5’7”, a record she still holds today. Her outstanding achievements earned her All-State honors in 2010 and 2011. Ellie’s consistent performance included first-place finishes at Regionals every year (2008–2011), first-place finishes at Conference in 2009, 2010, and 2011, and First Team All-Racine County honors during those same years. She capped off her high school career by being named the 2011 BHS Track & Field Most Valuable Player. Ellie credits much of her success to her high jump coach, Matt Buteyn, whose guidance and encouragement had a lasting impact on her athletic career.

In addition to her track and field achievements, Ellie earned three varsity letters in tennis and competed at the number one doubles position alongside Becca Kurt during her junior and senior years. The duo won the Southern Lakes Conference Tournament in 2010 and earned First Team All-Conference honors that same year. Ellie is especially honored to share her induction into the Burlington High School Wall of Fame with her tennis coach, Rose Dolatowski.

Ellie also earned two varsity letters in cheerleading while in high school.

Academically, she was a member of the National Honor Society and graduated in the top 10 of her class.

After high school, Ellie continued her Track & Field career on a Division I scholarship at the University of Dayton. She achieved several top-three finishes at meets, including the Atlantic 10 Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field Championships during her freshman and sophomore years. Unfortunately, a back injury ended her collegiate athletic career, leading her to coach high school Track & Field at Miamisburg High School during her senior year.

Ellie graduated from the University of Dayton with a double major in Accounting and Spanish, later completing her MBA and earning her CPA designation. While in college, she was a member of the Business Honors Society, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and the Social Justice Club.

Today, Ellie works in Finance at the Boston Consulting Group and resides in Chicago with her husband, Dylan.

Matt Kuchenbecker, a 2007 graduate of Burlington High School, was a standout three-sport athlete, excelling in football, basketball, and baseball. Over his high school career, he earned an impressive nine varsity letters, epitomizing the spirit of a true multi-sport athlete, demonstrating expectational athletic skill.

In football, Matt was a three-year varsity starter. As a sophomore, he earned All-County and All-Region honors as a punter. By his senior year, he took on the role of starting quarterback and continued to excel as a punter, receiving All-County, All-Region, and Honorable Mention All-State punter awards.

Matt’s basketball career was equally remarkable. Over three years as a varsity starter, he consistently earned accolades. As a sophomore, he received All-Conference recognition and Honorable Mention All-County honors. His senior year he was named Team Most Valuable Player and earned All-Conference honors.

Baseball, however, was where Matt truly excelled. As a three-year varsity starter at infielder, he accumulated a host of accolades, including three-time First-Team All-Conference, two-time All-County, and two-time Team MVP honors. He was invited to participate in prestigious events such as the Brewers Classic and the Wisconsin All-Star Game, and he earned Honorable Mention All-State recognition. These achievements underscored his skill and dedication to the sport.

Building on his high school success, Matt continued his athletic journey at Minnesota State University, Mankato, where he became a three-year starter at second base (2010-2012). His college career was decorated with numerous accolades, including Team Captain, First-Team All-Conference, All-Region First-Team honors, and Honorable Mention All-American status. In 2011, Matt was the winner of the Golden Glove honor for his superior fielding performance.

Matt’s contributions were instrumental in guiding his team to Division II College World Series appearances in 2010 and 2012. By the end of his senior year, he ranked among the top five in several Division II career statistics: first in doubles, second in RBIs, third in games played, and fifth in hits and home runs. These records stand as a testament to his consistency and impact on the field.