Rita Custeau was a strong supporter of Bridgewater State athletics in the mid-forties when there were no official women's sports programs at BSC. She carried on her support of athletics to the University of Connecticut where she became the Associate director of Athletics (1974-82). Rita received a BS in Physical Sciences in 1947 from Bridgewater State, then joined the Army and continued with school earning a MS in Physical Therapy. She was discharged from the Army in 1953 as a 1st Lieutenant. Rita returned to college earning a MS in Physical Education from Smith College. She enjoyed a career as a teacher and athletics coach at various colleges, spending most of her time at UConn. Rita passed away in 2010 at the age of 84.