Standing Tall by C. Vivian Stringer

Coach Stringer of the Rutgers women's basketball team has written an autobiography revealing the influence of her family and their values on her career and adult life.

It is an excellent read and sends the message: work hard and don't look for excuses.

Her dad was a coal miner, although he was a talented musician. Playing music would not have supported the family, however, and Stringer writes about how she learned from his work ethic. Her dad lost his legs and continued to work at the mine office, encouraging his eldest daughter to stand up for what she believed in. Stringer, who coached free for 18 seasons, expresses gratitude for the opportunities she has had and acknowledges her appreciation that she has been able to work at a job that is challenging and involves what she loves - basketball. She is also the parent of a child with a disability- her daughter contracted meningitis at 14 months of age- and she writes about her hopes and dreams for each woman she coaches, that they will learn to face life head on during the time they play on her team.

There is even a chapter on what the "C" stands for in her name. (I'm not telling.)

[visual description: The cover of the book is shown. Coach Stringer is wearing a red suit and holding a basketball, facing right. The title of the book is above her head and her name is to her right. ]