Rhodes Athletic Hall of Fame
Lucia Colbert once said “tennis is my calling, my gift to people, and Rhodes gave me the skills and the opportunity for teaching the sport I love.”
Lucia is one of the best all-round woman athletes ever to compete for Rhodes. In 1980 she was the college’s first women’s tennis player to qualify for the National Women’s Collegiate Tennis Tournament. An outstanding serve and volley player, she was captain of the tennis team her junior and senior year. After graduating with a degree in art, she played on the European Satellite and USTA Circuit for several years.
Lucia competed in multiple events at Rhodes, participating in cross-country for three years. It was not unusual for her to run a race only to return to campus to play a tennis match. She put her endurance training to the ultimate test after leaving Rhodes, becoming the first woman in the Memphis area to compete in the Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii in 1991, a feat she has completed twice.
Lucia continues her involvement in the tennis community by serving as head pro at the Ridgeway Tennis Center and working with the Rhodes tennis team on a part-time basis.
In recognition of her winning spirit and outstanding ability, we are proud to induct LUCIA OUELETTE COLBERT into the Rhodes Athletic Hall of Fame this 20th day of October, 2000.
