Social media reacts to the retirement of C. Vivian Stringer as Rutgers women’s basketball head coach
The level of recognition for C. Vivian Stringer and her legendary career as a college basketball coach is staggering, a point underscored this weekend with the news that the Rutgers women’s basketball head coach is retiring.
Stringer announced her retirement from the game on Saturday morning and within minutes, tributes attesting to her impact on and off the court began to pour in.
Prominent names in sports and politics celebrated her coaching career and wished her well on the next stage of her life’s journey.
She retires with 1,055 wins. Her time at Rutgers was the longest of her storied career. Her legacy at Rutgers will include turning the program into a national title contender on a regular basis.
Rutgers, under the watch of Stringer, became a destination location in women’s college basketball. Now, they will have a national search for her replacement.
Four times she led Rutgers to the Final Four and three times they were Big East regular-season champions. In 2014, prior to their first season in the Big Ten, they won the WNIT.
Three times since joining the Big Ten the Scarlet Knights have made the NCAA Tournament.
As part of the celebration of her retirement, Rutgers announced that all basketball games at Jersey Mike’s Arena will be played at C. Vivian Stringer Court.
Check out some of the heartfelt emotional posts to the news that C. Vivian Stringer has announced her retirement.
Big Ten Network
The outpouring of support for the first Black coach to win at least 1,000 D1 games has been tremendous. ❤️@cvivianstringer x @RutgersWBB pic.twitter.com/eg6iJgeH7X
— Rutgers On BTN (@RutgersOnBTN) May 1, 2022
Black Coaches Association
Can you please help us name another Black Head Coach with a powerful coaching tree like @cvivianstringer? #BCAWORLD pic.twitter.com/O8qUZoZHgF
— Black Coaches Association (@BCAWORLDWIDE) May 1, 2022
President Bill Clinton
Congratulations Coach @cvivianstringer on your retirement. I always loved watching your teams compete. Thanks for a remarkable career!
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) May 1, 2022
Ed Cohen (veteran basketball play-by-play voice)
I’ll never forget sitting in @cvivianstringer’s office, interviewing for the @RutgersWBB radio position. Just the two of us. She asked, “What kind of voice are you?” She cared deeply about every facet of the program. Top on down. It was a pleasure covering her teams. Cheers Coach
— Ed Cohen (@edcohensports) May 1, 2022
Alexis Hess (highly-ranked women's basketball recruit)
It was such an honor to meet @cvivianstringer and to get the phone call from her when @RutgersWBB offered. Coach Stringer has made such an impact on the sport I love and for that I will be forever grateful! 🐐@unitedbballclub @coachzeller_ pic.twitter.com/Faks1Sfuis
— Alexis Hess (@AlexisHess35) April 30, 2022
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy
Wishing a happy retirement to Hall of Fame @RutgersWBB Head Coach @cvivianstringer ! With a career spanning 50 years and over 1,000 wins, Coach Stringer is one of the greatest and most influential coaches of all time. https://t.co/svyzObFuKG
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) April 30, 2022
Chelsea Newton (former Rutgers women's basketball player, current Texas A&M associate coach)
I am because of you…thank you @cvivianstringer ! I love you! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Yk5GnHvajk
— Chelsea Newton (@TAMUCoachNew) April 30, 2022
Congressman Frank Pallone
Congratulations to @cvivianstringer on a historic career with @RutgersWBB.
We are grateful for everything that you’ve done for the sport and our community and wish you all the best in retirement. https://t.co/GI114KYPJw
— Rep. Frank Pallone (@FrankPallone) May 2, 2022
Great Schiano (Rutgers football head coach, former NFL head coach)
Teacher.
Hall of Famer.
Coach.
Pioneer.
Friend.Congratulations on an incredible career, @cvivianstringer. pic.twitter.com/xvyxnoiDFt
— Greg Schiano (@GregSchiano) April 30, 2022
Tara Vanderveer (Stanford women's basketball coach)
Thoughts from Tara on the retirement of @CVivianStringer 📝#GoStanford x @RutgersWBB pic.twitter.com/4kZ2C4oQfa
— Stanford Women’s Basketball (@StanfordWBB) April 30, 2022
Jay Wright (former college basketball coach)
Congratulations @cvivianstringer – you are one of the all-time greats ! Much Respect ! https://t.co/Eu5suOn12B
— Jay Wright (@VUCoachJWright) May 1, 2022
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