Coaches 4 Character Event Featured Coach Vivian Stinger

Linda Gallicchio

On May 19^th Coaches 4 Character , a non-profit in the Upstate whose mission is “to teach at-risk youth the value of education and character development” hosted an event featuring Coach Vivian Stringer. Just finishing its fourth year of programming, Coaches 4 Character has reached more than 14,000 kids. Coach Stringer was its 16^th speaker. She has been head coach of the Scarlet Knights women’s basketball at Rutgers since 1995. Although open to all, the focus of the events is on at-risk youth, and for this night, at-risk girls in particular. Approximately 600 students attended (80% were female).

One thing that struck me in her talk was that she said that at least once a week at lunch she invites a female faculty member to talk to her athletes. Why? Coach said it was because bodies wear out and education is so important because it stays with you beyond physical talents. No one can take away from you what you have learned. She went on to say that she wants her athletes to know that many women have gone on to become great scholars and accomplish much, with hard work and dedication to get an education.

The value of education and good character was the main message of Coach’s talk to the kids. Her kindness and humility set a great example that evening.

It was an additional lesson for me to read up on Coach Stringer. She is the first coach, men’s or women’s, to lead three different programs to the NCAA Tournament Final Four. To read of coach’s amazing accomplishments in:

http://www.scarletknights.com/basketball-women/coaches/stringer.asp