C. Vivian Stringer, the women’s basketball coach at Rutgers University from 1997-2022, speaks during halftime of a Big Ten Conference game between the host Scarlet Knights and Ohio State University after having the court at Jersey Mike’s Arena named after her Sunday, December 4 in Piscataway, New Jersey. / Photo by Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald 
Rutgers University guard Kaylene Smikle scores two of her team-high 21 points during an 82-70 Big Ten Conference loss to Ohio State University at Jersey Mike’s Arena Sunday December 4 in Piscataway, New Jersey. /Photo by Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald 
Former Minneapolis North girls’ basketball standout Stacia Neals (1984-1988) went on to a successful career on the court at St. Peter’s College (1988-92) in Jersey City, New Jersey. She is currently a clinician supervisor at Rutgers University. /Courtesy Rutgers University 
Former Minneapolis North High School (1996-99) and Rutgers University standout player Mauri Horton (1999-2003) with her college coach C. Vivian Stringer during the renaming of the basketball court at Jersey Mikes Arena Sunday, December 4 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Horton was a member of the school’s NCAA Final Four team in 2000. /Courtesy Mauri Horton 
Rutgers women’s basketball coach Coquese Washington addresses the media after her team’s 82-70 Big Ten loss to Ohio State University in Jersey Mike’s Arena Sunday, December 4 in Piscataway, New Jersey./Photo by Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald
New Brunswick, NJ — The weekend of December 2-5 I returned to New Brunswick, New Jersey with fellow MSR columnist Charles Hallman to witness the renaming of the Rutgers University basketball court named after recently retired women’s basketball coach and Hall of Famer C. Vivian Stringer.
I lived in New Brunswick during my childhood in 1968-69 and 1974-77.
In addition to witnessing history and reuniting with old friends, I did manage to take photos of Coach Stringer, current Rutgers player Kylene Smikle, and Rutgers first-year head coach Coquese Washington. I also obtained photos of former Minneapolis North High School and Rutgers point guard Mauri Horton with her college coach, and former Minneapolis North forward and St. Peter’s College standout Stacia Neals for this ‘Fab Five’ photo spread.
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