Few college athletes can match the record of Rita Alexander Colman.  As a member of the Flying Queens from 1953-57, Colman played on teams that won Wayland's first four Amateur Athletic Union national championships, compiled a record of 104-0, and began the Queens' record 131-game win streak.

Individually, Colman was equally impressive.  A native of Loco, Okla., she was co-captain of the Flying Queens in 1955, '56 and '57, and was named AAU All-American in '56 and '57.  She was a member of the United States team in the Pan American Games played in Mexico in 1955, and captain of the U.S. team competing in the World Championships in Brazil in 1957.  While at Wayland, Colman was a member of Future Teachers of America, the Student Government Association, and was selected by the student body as a Spinning Wheel.

Colman met her future husband, the late George T. Colman, a foreign service officer attached to the American Embassy, while playing in the World games in Brazil.  The two were married one year later, following Rita's graduation with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education, and spent the next 24 years serving in various posts abroad.

Colman's international experience at Wayland helped prepare her to serve as an intelligence analyst at the American embassies or consulates in Brazil, Angola, Somalia and Argentina from 1958-78.  While in Rio de Janeiro, Colman was a member of two Brazilian national championship teams.  She taught in Panama from 1978-82, and then returned to the U.S., where she worked for Minyard Food Stores from 1984 until her retirement in 1990.

Now a resident of The Colony, Colman dedicates her time to travel and volunteer work.