Coach Vivian Stringer Standing Tall on Oprah
Don Imus Insults Handled with Grace by Woman's Basketball Leader
Dec 10, 2008
Radio talk show host Don Imus made headlines in 2007 when he aired a racial slur against the Rutgers University Women’s Basketball Team. A furious media frenzy led to the announcers eventual firing. The majority of attention of the story was focused on Imus and his outrageous behavior, but the real story is the dignity with which the team coach, Vivian Stringer, handled the situation. Stringer appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show, on ABC, for an interview about her life and to introduce her new book, Standing Tall.
Vivian Stringer is a tough as nails coach. She was filmed inspiring her teams into victorious champions. Stringer’s team leadership skills comes from her own reaction to adversity. While troubles and trials are sure to come, what makes a person is how they react to situations.
Vivian Stringer Standing Tall
Stringer is a champion coach but her life has not been easy. Her story is one of showing up, confronting obstacles and moving past the pain.
In the interview with Oprah and through some films of her life, Stringer revealed that she was the daughter of a coal miner. Tragically, her father lost both of his legs, but he kept on working. Stringer said that she could hear her father moaning in pain at night, but was courageous and kept a positive attitude.
Stringer began coaching for no pay at Cheney State College in the 1970’s, where she led the first women’s college basketball team to the finals in 1982.
Vivian seemed to be living the American dream, with a supportive, loving husband and family. When her daughter was 14 months old she was diagnosed with spinal meningitis. Brain damage left her unable to speak, walk or care for herself.
The family moved to Iowa, where as head coach of the University of Iowa, she was able to find better medical care for Nina. Once again she transformed a struggling team to victory.
Vivian’s husband, Bill, was her rock and support, but tragedy struck again when the 47 year old man suddenly died of a massive heart attack. A few months later Vivian coach the Hawkeyes to victory. The memory of her husband’s death was painful, so Vivian moved her family to Rutgers University.
In her book, Standing Tall, Vivian speaks about her tragedies and triumphs and how she persevered with God’s help and the help of family and friends
Don Imus.
Through the hardships and tragedy of her life, Vivian found refuge in the basketball court. When Don Imus made the infamous racial slurs during the NCAA Tournament, she was shocked and hurt. True to her philosophy, she met the situation head on and stood up for her team. Later the team met with Imus and told him how the situation affected them, bringing them a sense of closure.
A Friend Helps Through Breast Cancer Battle
Vivian also coped with a silent battle again breast cancer, which was diagnosed about ten years ago. She kept the disease a secret; even from her own mother and sons because she felt the family had already been through too much hardship. Vivian reached out to a friend over the telephone. She never met the friend, or knew who she was, but she was someone that Vivian could call at night and cry. This woman had a profound influence on Vivian, who wrote about her friendship in her book. Oprah’s staff found the woman and the two met for the first time on television.
Vivian Stringer has a powerful story and a message of encouragement for people going through adversity. She spoke of how the example set by her family was a life inspiration to her and how it is how we react to hurts and problems that make a difference. According to Vivian, Faith in God has carried her through many though situations.
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