Basketball Hall of Famer to lead workshop on resilience
New Brunswick, NJ- The Tim Howard NJCTS Leadership Academy is turning up the star power with the addition of C.
Vivian Stringer to the agenda. The women’s basketball coaching legend will present a workshop on
resiliency.
On August 1, 23 teens will arrive at Rutgers University to spend a three-day intensive training on life skills
necessary to succeed with Tourette Syndrome (TS). TS is a neurological disorder characterized by
involuntary movements known as tics. It’s frequently accompanied by other disorders. Because it’s such a
“visual” disorder, as Tim Howard of Team USA and Everton explains, it often leads to greater degrees of
bullying and isolation.
“The whole idea of the Academy is that [kids with TS] need to view themselves as successful and resilientand
the goal of the program is to have them see those possibilities,” said Faith W. Rice, executive director of
the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders (NJCTS).
Stringer is the coach of Rutgers Women’s basketball team and a member of the Basketball Hall of Fameinducted
in 2009, the same class as Michael Jordon. While she is famous for her coaching ability, Stringer
has turned personal struggles into a lesson in overcoming adversity.
Tim Howard, who conceived the Academy with NJCTS, is happy to share a new connection to Stringer, or “Mrs.
Stringer” as he calls her. Howard grew up in North Brunswick and remembers when her family moved to Middlesex
County when Stringer came to Rutgers. In a recent press conference, Howard fondly recalled his friend and fellow
basketball player David Stringer- Vivian’s son.
Stringer, the author of Standing Tall: A Memoir of Tragedy and Triumph will no doubt draw on her life experiences to
inspire the Academy participants in an intimate and interactive workshop. Other Academy presenters include leading TS
clinicians and educators.
“We are pleased that C. Vivian Stringer will lead this special presentation,” said Rice, “She is a gracious partner in
inspiring TS kids and advocates.” For more information about the Academy, visit www.njcts.org or call 908-575-7350.
###
. New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders, Inc.
Collaborative partnerships for the TS community.
Collaborative Partnerships
for the Tourette Syndrome Community
C. Vivian Stringer
to lead resiliency
workshop for Tim
Howard NJCTS
Leadership
Academy