Pioneering women’s basketball coach C. Vivian Stringer announces retirement

Legendary women’s basketball coach C. Vivian Stringer is retiring after 50 years and 1,055 wins, she announced in a press release.

Stringer guided her teams to 28 NCAA tournament appearances and four Final Fours across her storied career at Cheyney State, Iowa and most recently New Jersey’s Rutgers.

C. Vivian Stringer retires

“My life has been defined by coaching and I’ve been on this journey for over five decades. It is rare that someone gets to do what they love for this long and I have been fortunate to do that,” Stringer said.

“After recently celebrating the first women’s Final Four team at Cheyney State University, where it all started, it sat with me that I have been at this for a long time. It is important to step aside and challenge others to step up and take this game forward.

“This was the hardest decision of my life, but I thank God he has allowed me to do the thing I love most. I am ready to start my new journey and spending more time with my family, children, and grandchildren. I am truly blessed to have had so many wonderful people in my life.”

Career

The 74-year-old is fourth all time in Division I women’s basketball coach victories, joining the likes of Tara VanDerveer, Pat Summitt and Geno Auriemma with over 1,000 wins, being the first Black coach in the men’s or women’s game to hit that milestone.

The first coach in men’s or women’s basketball history to take three different schools to the Final Four (Cheyney in 1982, Iowa in 1993 and Rutgers, in 2000 and again in 2007), Stringer has been a pioneer, visionary and leader during her four decades of success on the hardwood. She was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2009 and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001.

Stringer’s retirement will be effective Sept. 1.

Rutgers University said a national search for Stringer’s replacement will begin immediately.