Stringer elected to Hall of Fame

An 825-280 career record, 38 seasons as a head coach, Final Four appearances with three different programs, 22 NCAA Tournament appearances, 30 seasons of 20 or more wins, nine regional final appearances, an Olympic Gold Medal and three National Coach of the Year honors make up quite the resume.
Of course she got in.
After receiving nomination for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Feb. 13, Rutgers women’s basketball head coach C. Vivian Stringer has been selected to enter the Hall of Fame according to The Star Ledger, who got the information from a person familiar to the selection process.
The person requested anonymity because the official announcement will not be made until today as part of the Final Four festivities in Detroit.
“To be honest with you, it’s kind of difficult to express such a tremendous honor,” Stringer said after hearing the news of her nomination at a Feb. 13 practice. “It’s too much to comprehend right now, considering our season. I’m having the most horrible year of my life. So it’s kind of ironic how those things go. I have walked with amazement of the people who have been honored.”
Stringer was one of 16 finalists for enshrinement and will be inducted along with NBA legends John Stockton, “the Admiral” David Robinson and “His Airness” himself — Michael Jeffrey Jordan.
“The Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame is one of those breathless, high emotional entities that speak to the elite, the best in the game,” Stringer said. “To love something as much as I love the game of basketball and to even be considered for this amazing honor — it is truly humbling. I want to appreciate this moment.”
Finalists not selected for enshrinement this year include WNBA stalwart Cynthia Cooper and St. Anthony High School head coach Bob Hurley, whose names will remain on the ballot next year.
“I was genuinely shocked [when I heard that I was nominated],” Stringer said. “It’s such a tremendous honor. I hope I can maybe come to appreciate it, but it doesn’t sound right. It just sounds strange. Wow. Me?”
Perhaps this tremendous honor can help Stringer assuage a bitter few weeks that included elimination from the NCAA Tournament after a 21-13 (8-7) season, the resignation of assistant coach Clarissa Davis-Wrightsil and the alleged transfer of freshman forward and McDonald’s All-American Brooklyn Pope.
“It’s well deserved and I think a long time coming,” said associate head coach Carlene Mitchell on Stringer’s nomination prior a Feb. 15 loss to Maryland. “She’s an amazing woman. The record speaks for itself but it’s more than basketball and that’s what Naismith represented. I am personally honored to be on the staff and coach with the legend and hopefully not just a Naismith finalist, but soon a representative of the Hall of Fame.”
Enshrinement ceremonies will take place Sept. 10-12 in Springfield, Mass.
“What a great honor for her distinguished career already in the College Hall of Fame. She has had an unbelievable career starting when she was back at Cheyney State and moving forward to Iowa and being at Rutgers,” said Rutgers men’s basketball head coach Fred Hill Jr. after the team’s road loss to Providence. “To be put on the ballot that says you are one of the best to have ever participated in this great sport is an unbelievable honor for her. And certainly we’re hoping when they vote that we will be going to a Hall of Fame celebration.”