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. ]

Forgiving Don Imus

I am a Rutgers alumna, one of many who was angry at Don Imus when he made racist and sexist comments about our women's basketball team. These gifted young women did not deserve to be the butt of a cheap joke.

Yet these young ladies and their coach were able to practice forgiveness, accept Imus' apology and move on.

Yesterday what has been described as a kinder, gentler Imus took to the air waves with a new radio show. He promised not to say anything to make the Rutgers women's basketball team sorry they accepted his apology. I was saddened later in the day to hear one of Imus' friends do a television interview and make a crack that only Al Sharpton can be perfect. It made me question the sincerity of the "Imus camp". 

Last evening, I watched the Rutgers women's basketball team play their hearts out after falling behind to capture a win against Maryland. In one of the last plays, team members sprinted down the court to defend against a score by Maryland. It was a riveting sight, watching these young women's athleticism and skill.

Were they thinking about Imus at that moment? No way. Their consciences are free. Forgiving people does that.

Some people think Imus won because he's back to work.   I believe the winners were on that court last night.

{visual description: Two Rutgers' women's basketball team members hug in celebration after a victory.}

Rutgers Team Accepts Imus' Apology

As Coach Stringer says let us hope this is a catalyst for change. Please keep everyone in your prayers as they journey on their road to healing and forgiveness.

On the way to the meeting, Governor Corzine was seriously injured in a car accident. He faces three to six months of being unable to walk, is presently on a respirator, has had one surgery and requires at least two more. Please remember him in your prayers as he recuperates.

Rutgers Women's Basketball Team- We hold our heads high with dignity...and with respect for ourselves

{visual description: Captain Essence Carson of the Rutgers Women's basketball team addresses the audience at the press conference held today.}

Snippets:

Rutgers President : Thank you for being the outstanding ambassadors you are. My heart goes out to each and every one of you.

Coach C. Vivian Stringer:
Let me bring a human face to all of this...I want you to see ten young women who accomplished so much...that we...are so very proud of. These young ladies are valedictorians of their class....future doctors, musical prodigies...girl scouts..the best this nation has to offer and we are so very fortunate to have them here at Rutgers University....young ladies of class, distinction...God's representatives in every sense of the word.
...there are five freshmen...with over a 3.0 GPA...bright ..gifted hardworking. talking about Don Imus story....forgetting what it's ..about....perseverance, hard work...no one believed in them but them. That's the greatest story...I have nothing but pride and respect for them....came back to this..so hurt by the remarks that were uttered by Mr. Imus...we can't let other people steal our joy. ..I was a victim of racial discrimination but I had ...people..who stood up for me..
I would ask...who could hear these comments and not be personally offended? Are women hos? Would you want your daughter to be called that? ...It's about us as a people, black, white, purple or green...the color is green...these aren't political figures...hardworking young women that little girls look up to..bigger issue here...it is all women...have we lost a sense of our own moral fiber?
..i honor and respect their parents who entrust their daughters to me at such a delicate age...so I would ask all of us as adults what is this all about? Are we not responsible...for nurturing their dreams and supporting them? ...What happens when young people do good things and do the right things?..Is there malice in my heart? No, I'm hurt.....despicable words are not right...it's time for everybody to reflect on what's going on..it's been time.
..It took me 25 years to come to a championship game and for once....this was a team that had so little and gave so much...so young.....this was a team that would restore all our faith and confidence in young people. ..we hold our heads with with dignity and ...with respect for ourselves.

Heather Zurich, player:
...we fought, we persevered and most of all we believed in ourselves...but all of our accomplishments were lost, our moment was taken away. We were stripped of this moment by degrading comments made by Mr. Imus..what hurts most is that ...Mr. Imus doesn't know any of us personally...i beleve we present ourselves well... he knows not one of us.

{Each player gets up and introduces herself]

Essence Carson, Captain of team
I would like to express our team's great anger, hurt and disgust...deeply saddened by racial characterization. Imus..brought us to harsh reality ...under brightest lights... has made history...where were these major networks when we ...were making history? ..now we are being bombarded with emails, phone calls..taken a toll on us physically and mentally...we ask that you not recognize us in a light as dim as this....agreed to meeting with Don Imus....private meeting....express our great hurt and sadness this has brought to us...it's about women across the world, across this nation...take a stand..don't look at it as if we're ...attacking {Imus}....we're attacking an issue that we know isn't right.

It isn't right.

As a Rutgers alumna I am proud of these young women and I too am saddened by the fact that the media coverage was not there until the controversy with Imus occurred.