Legendary Rutgers Coach C. Vivian Stringer Retires

Legendary Women's Basketball Coach C. Vivian Stringer has called it a career.

The Hall of Fame coach who put Rutgers Women's Basketball among the very elite programs in the United States, announced her retirement on Saturday. Stringer amassed 1,055 wins (fifth all time), four Final Four appearances and 28 berths in the NCAA Tournament.

Stringer released a statement, published on the Rutgers Athletics website.

"I am officially announcing my retirement," said Stringer. "My life has been defined by coaching and I've been on this journey for over five decades. It is rare that someone gets to do what they love for this long and I have been fortunate to do that. I love Rutgers University for the incredible opportunity they offered me and the tremendous victories we achieved together. There's always a soft spot in my heart for the University of Iowa and Dr. Christine Grant for giving me my first major coaching position, when me and my husband trusted her to move our family to Iowa. She was a strong believer in women's rights and that's a responsibility that I have championed and will continue to take up the fight for.

"After recently celebrating the first women's Final Four team at Cheyney State University, where it all started, it sat with me that I have been at this for a long time. It is important to step aside and challenge others to step up and take this game forward. I am forever indebted to all the coaches who I worked beside. Some were former players, some were colleagues, but all were friends and family at the end of the day and were my most trusted relationships. To the young ladies that I was fortunate to have coached and mentored into the women and leaders of today, keep pushing the barriers, keep pushing for your spot at the table, and always know who you are.

"This was the hardest decision of my life, but I thank God he has allowed me to do the thing I love most. I am ready to start my new journey and spending more time with my family, children, and grandchildren. I am truly blessed to have had so many wonderful people in my life."

Stringer became the Head Coach at Rutgers in 1995, and was the longest tenured head coach at Rutgers at the time of her retirement. With the Scarlet Knights, she won 535 games, qualified for the tournament 17 times, including 10 straight from 2003 to 2012, and a pair of Final Four appearances.

"In 2000, she became the first men's or women's basketball coach to guide three different intercollegiate programs to the Final Four after playing in the first NCAA Championship Game with Cheyney State in 1992 and leading Iowa to the national semifinals in 1993," Scarletknights.com.