C. Vivian Stringer becomes the seventh coach to earn 1,000 wins at the Division I level, as her Rutgers Scarlet Knights crushed Central Connecticut St.
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights women’s basketball team was taking no chances when it came to earning C. Vivian Stringers’ 1,000th career win as a head coach.
Stringer, 70, became the sixth coach to reach the iconic landmark, as the Knights pummeled the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils by a 73-44 final in Piscataway on Tuesday night. Caitlin Jenkins had a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Stasha Carey had 12 points of her own.
Seconds after the final horn sounded, the celebration began for Stringer, a mainstay on the New Jersey hardwood since 1995.
Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009, Stringer joins Pat Summit, Tara VanDerveer, Geno Auriemma, Barbara Stevens, and Sylvia Hatchell to achieve the mark in the women’s game. Mike Krzyzewski is the lone titlist in the men’s edition.
“I’m happy and grateful that I have the opportunity to continue to somehow shape the lives of these young women,” Stringer said in a pregame interview with ESPN’s Mechelle Voepel. “This game teaches you how to be humble, appreciative, respectful of others. I’ve been able to teach a lot of life’s lessons. To not be disrespectful of the game and other people. To teach what it means to have everybody going in the same direction, and ultimately getting to that special spot, where you know that you’re the best.”
480 of Stringer’s win tally has come at Rutgers, and the team now sits at 3-0 on the season. Some of the notable alumnae to train under Stringer include WNBA stars Cappie Pondexter, Epiphanny Prince, and Kia Vaughn, the latter two currently representing the New York Liberty.
Numerous Stringer students were in attendance for her accomplishment and celebrated with her on the floor after the game. Rutgers football head coach Chris Ash and men’s basketball coach Steve Pikiell likewise played witness.
Good luck to @cvivianstringer as she goes for win 1000 tonight! #creatingHERstory pic.twitter.com/X1nesPgMLy
— Chris Ash (@CoachChrisAsh) November 13, 2018
With the milestone out of the way early, the Knights now stand at 3-0, as they look to make their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2015.
“I know there’s a real focus on the part of everyone. I see a sense of urgency,” Stringer told Voepel. “When you really love something, you don’t recognize time goes by.”
The Knights will return to action and go for Stringer’s 1,001st win on Friday, as they take on Charlotte on the road (5:00 p.m. ET, CUSA.tv).
