C. Vivian Stringer

Class of 2001

  • The master builder of basketball programs
  • Is the only collegiate coach (men’s or women’s) to have directed three different schools to berths in the NCAA Final Four
  • Ranks as the third all-time winningest coach in collegiate women’s basketball history with an overall record of 644-199 compiled during a total of 29 seasons at Cheyney, Iowa, and Rutgers
  • Became the third women’s collegiate coach to reach the 600-win plateau
  • Collected 500 wins in the fewest games (613) of any women’s collegiate coach and was the second youngest coach to reach that mark
  • Tabbed for National Coach of the Year accolades three different years, receiving the honor in 1982 (Wade Trophy), 1988 (Converse), and 1993 (Naismith, Converse, Sports Illustrated, USA TODAY, Black Coaches Association, and Los Angeles Times)
  • Has led her teams to 15 appearances in the NCAA Tournament and has posted 20+ wins in a season 22 times
  • Has also garnered conference coach of the year recognition twice (1991 and 1993) from the Big Ten during her tenure at Iowa and once (1998) from the Big East as the coach at Rutgers
  • Led the United States to a bronze medal at the 1991 Pan American Games
  • International experience also includes coaching in Mexico in 1979 and touring China in 1981 as head coach of the U.S. Select Team as well as coaching the USA’s entry in the 1985 World University Games and the 1989 World Championship Zone Qualification tournament