Rutgers basketball coach C. Vivian Stringer was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame Friday. Stringer is the first coach, male or female, to lead three different teams to the Final Four (Cheyney State University, 1982; Iowa University, 1993; and Rutgers University 2000 & 2007), according to the Boston Globe. Stringer also ranks third in Division I women’s basketball career victories with 825. She began coaching in 1972 at Cheyney State University.
In light of the Hall of Fame induction, Stringer told the New York Times, “I grew up in a time when we didn’t have organized sports for girls. Now, because of Title IX, players are able to make a million dollars doing this. Who would have thought they’d give you 10 cents?” In her remarks at the induction, she said “I am here, perhaps, because of the wins that we’ve had, but the truth of the matter is that the reason I continue to coach is because I’m trying to create young women who are leaders and role models. So my work is never done,” reported the Star Ledger.
Stringer was inducted into the Hall of Fame along with Michael Jordan, NBA legend and Olympian; John Stockton, who holds the NBA career records for assists and steals; Jerry Sloan, long-time head coach of the Utah Jazz; and David Robinson, Olympian and member of two NBA championship teams.
