Former Mississippi Valley State University and Tougaloo College basketball coach Lafayette Stribling (born June 1, 1934) died last Saturday, October 30, 2021. He was 87.
Known for his flashy wardrobe and hilarious stories, Stribling is best known for taking his 1986 squad into the opening round of the NCAA playoffs. The 20-11 Delta Devils took on the top ranked Duke Blue Devils and lost 85-78, but only after 4 of their 5 starters fouled out. Afterward, the overwhelmingly Duke crowd gave them a standing ovation.
Stribling would lead Valley to four SWAC championships before leaving Itta Bena and taking a job at NAIA Tougaloo College. He would lead the Bulldogs to five tournament appearances, including a 2011 run where he would take a team of only seven players to a conference championship.
Visitation will be from 8:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m., Friday, November 5, 2021 at Westhaven Funeral Home, 3580 Robinson Street, Jackson, MS.
The life of Coach Stribling will be celebrated on Saturday, November 6, 2021, 11:00 a.m., at Tougaloo College Kroger Gymnasium, 500 West Countyline Road, Tougaloo, MS 39174. The body will be available for public viewing at the Kroger Gym beginning at 9:00 a.m., Saturday morning.
In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be made to the Tougaloo College Athletic Department Fund in Memoriam of Coach Stribling at the following link: https://igfn.us/f/31dx/n or to the MS Valley State University Men’s Basketball Designated Fund in memory of Coach Lafayette Stribling at the following link: https://bit.ly/3w8b0A0.
Burial immediately following services at Galilee M.B. Church, 1867 Galilee Road, Carthage, MS
