Rutgers University women's basketball coach C. Vivian Stringer is back in the news again, but this time for achieving a rare feat.
Stringer joined Pat Summitt and Jody Conradt as the only women's basketball coaches in history to win 800 games as No. 4 Rutgers beat DePaul 60-46 on Wednesday night.
"No one is more respected than Pat and Jody," Stringer said. "To be mentioned in the same breath is humbling."
DePaul coach Doug Bruno had his entire team shake Stringer's hand during warmups, sensing the outcome would be historic. Bruno also coached DePaul when Summitt beat the Blue Demons for her 800th.
"Eight hundred isn't about a number. It's about the players from Cheney, Iowa, Rutgers and how special they were," said Stringer.
Essence Carson, the unofficial spokeswoman for the team in the wake of the Don Imus incident, had 20 points Wednesday to lead her team in scoring. Epiphanny Prince added 15. Rutgers (23-4, 13-1 Big East), moves into a tie with UConn atop the Conference.
Everyone in the crowd was given signs marking the 800th victory. With 30 seconds left they gave the Hall of Fame coach a standing ovation and chanted her initials. When the clock reached zero, Carson threw her coach the game ball.
"It was her ball, she deserved it," Carson said.
Afterward, each player gave Stringer a single red rose, which made her tear up.
Addressing the crowd, Stringer said: "I've been blessed with great players and coaches. Not only from the players that are here, but the players over the years. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I've been the most fortunate person in the world, because every day I wake up and I'm so excited to coach basketball."
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