Stribling’s expectations high for Tougaloo
By
Latoya McInnis
Tougaloo College has hired a new men’s basketball coach in hopes of reviving the pride that once dwelled on the campus.
Lafayette Stribling, 71,who is entering his 49th year of coaching, spent 27 years at Mississippi Valley State University. His record of 315-207 makes him the most successful coach in MVSU basketball history.
“I am really enjoying Tougaloo,” said Stribling, Tougaloo’s new coach. “I’m looking forward to the year. I came here looking for a challenge. That’s what it’s about. I found one here,” said Stribling.
Derek Jarvis, 21, a recreational and physical education major from Natchez, believes Stribling can bring championships to Tougaloo. “We can definitely win a championship with coach Stribling,” said Jarvis, who plays basketball.
“He took Valley from nothing to something. He can possibly do the same for Tougaloo. I’m looking forward to playing for him,” Jarvis said.
The hype is up and everyone wants to know if the Bulldogs have what it takes to improve. Stribling believes the team has the qualities of a champion.
“Talent alone is not enough,” he said. “It’s a mind thing. It can happen. You have to have high expectations."
Stribling is a well-motivated man who will push his squad on and off the court. He plans to maximize every player in order to succeed in all phases — spiritually, mentally and physically.
“We believe in hard work, flexibility, and discipline,” Stribling said. “We want to develop the total person. We want people that believe in school. We want them to ride the wings of academics.”
Due to Hurricane Katrina students were led to believe that there would be no basketball season because the hurricane destroyed many conference schools. But Stribling has faith that there will be a season although he admits the tragedy created discomfort.
“It created a scheduling problem and it is too late in the year to find replacement,” he said. “They were very competitive.”
Stribling is convinced that the student body can motivate the team. “We want to get everyone involved,”Stribling said.
“We want to give credit to the students. We can’t do anything without the student body. We want them to pack the arena.”
Many of the basketball players followed Stribling to Tougaloo from their high schools in hope of a prosperous future after college.
“He has been coaching for a while, he has many connections,” said Joshua Marks, a freshman education major from Chicago. “He could possibly make it happen for me overseas or even the NBA.”
Jarvis agreed. “He has an outstanding reputation,” he said. “He has the power to get us somewhere.”
Stribling said players must think positive. “There are possibilities, (for athletes to go overseas or even into the NBA)” said Stribling. “I have a lot of contacts. You have to think high. You have to reach for the stars and hang in there with me. Success doesn’t come easy, you have to have good work ethics. You must have determination and believe in yourself.”
Stribling has seen some of his players get a shot at professional basketball. The Los Angeles Lakers drafted Mark Coleman in 1987. Alfonzo Ford was drafted by the 76ers in 1992. The Seattle Sonics drafted Mark Bufford in 1992. The Golden State Warriors drafted Markus Mann in 1996. And Dewayne Jefferson was drafted overseas to Russia in 2002.
