Celebrating a Legend
C. Vivian Stringer, the longtime Rutgers women's basketball coach, has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the Betty F. Jaynes Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association.
Over a career spanning nearly three decades, Stringer amassed 535 victories with the Scarlet Knights, guiding the program to 17 NCAA Tournament appearances and two Final Four runs in 2000 and 2007.
Trailblazing Milestones
She became the first coach to lead three different programs to the Final Four and was the inaugural African‑American coach to reach 1,000 career wins, a milestone achieved in November 2018.
Stringer retired as the fifth‑all‑time winningest coach in NCAA women's basketball history, finishing with 1,055 career victories and holding the record for the most seasons with at least 20 wins.
Beyond the Box Score
Her influence extends beyond statistics; she has mentored 21 WNBA draftees, served as an assistant on the gold‑medal 2004 U.S. Olympic Team, and contributed to the development of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association itself.
Stringer's leadership was recognized in 2021 when Sports Business Journal named her a Leader in Diversity and Inclusive Hiring, and she previously earned the Carol Eckman Integrity in Coaching Award in 1993.
The award ceremony will honor her contributions to the sport, her advocacy for diversity, and her lasting impact on student‑athletes, cementing her place among the most respected figures in college basketball.