After 55 Years, Coach Stribling Calls It Quits

COACH LAFAYETTE STRIBLING

TOUGALOO, Mississippi  -- The Tougaloo College Athletics Department held a press conference on yesterday to officially announce the retirement of legendary coach Lafayette Stribling, the Head Men's Basketball Coach. Coach Stribling will be hanging up the whistle on October 31, 2012.

After 55 years of coaching on the high school and collegiate levels, Lafayette Stribling has decided to let it go. In the press conference held on yesterday, Coach Stribling announced his retirement effective October 31, 2012.

He has been at Tougaloo College for seven years. In those seven years, Coach Stribling led the Bulldogs to four regular season championships, one tournament championship, and five national tournament appearances. During the 2010-2011 season, Coach Stribling was forced to play with seven players, known as the Super 7. With those seven players, they had a 16-2 record. They had an overall record of 28-5 and he led them to a GCAC Regular Season and Tournament championship and the "Sweet Sixteen" of the national tournament.

Also during his time here at Tougaloo College, Coach Stribling has been named GCAC Coach of the Year three times. In his seven years here at Tougaloo, he only had one losing season, which was his first season here at Tougaloo when he went 5-20. However, the following season, he would go 17-13 and win the school's first GCAC Regular Season Championship.

At the press conference, Stribling thanked his players, past and present, for allowing him to coach them. He acknowledged that none of his accomplishments would not have been possible without them.

On hand for the press conference were his family, former and present players, athletic director Dr. James C. Coleman, Tougaloo College President Dr. Beverly Wade Hogan, Tougaloo College Athletic Booster Club President Trustee Jerry Nickens, and other friends and colleagues. Also at the press conference was the announcement of Coach Stribling's successor, who will be his assistant Coach Harvey Wardell. Wardell has been Stribling's assistant for 30 years, starting back at Mississippi Valley State University. In Coach Wardell's remarks, he stated "It's going to be the same ship, just a different captain." Coach Wardell acknowledged that he was humble and very thankful for the opportunity to succeed Coach Stribling.

The Bulldogs and new head coach Harvey Wardell are scheduled to kick-off the 2012-2013 season on October 31, 2012 in Tyler, TX against Texas College. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 P.M.


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