Upon admission to UT as a freshman in 1958, Claudette Riley had already been the Tennessee State Champion Twirler for four years, Southeastern Champion for three years, All American Strutting Queen, and one of the top six twirlers in the nation. She had amassed 75 trophies and 76 medals. She was the first person to be awarded a four-year scholarship as a majorette and began her career at UT as head majorette.