Dick Vitale

Stephen Curry hosts the ESPYS, honoring achievement in sports. One of the night's special honorees, broadcaster Dick Vitale, is also the subject of an ESPN ...

Officers Minogue ( Mike Minogue) and O’Leary ( Karen O’Leary) are on the case when a congealed mass of fat takes on a life of its own in the Wellington sewers. - Wellington Paranormal(9/8c, The CW): Beware the blob! The soapy romantic drama returns for a fourth season—already renewed for a fifth—with Mel ( Alexandra Breckenridge) in a classic dilemma. - Animals Decoded(8/7c, Smithsonian Channel): Nature lovers will be fascinated by this new series which explores the various ways animals communicate with each other. Dicky V weaves the celebration of his life story through accounts of his grueling battle against melanoma, lymphoma and ulcerated lesions on his vocal cords, showing Vitale at the hospital and recovering at home. The irrepressible Dick Vitale is also the subject of a special documentary profile from ESPN Films. It’s only appropriate, considering that his career reflects the history of the network, having called ESPN’s very first college basketball game back in 1979.

There's an understandably strong sentimental streak running through "Dickie V.," a documentary tribute to ESPN analyst Dick Vitale, as he deals with his ...

It's certainly hard to fault ESPN's sentiment or timing, coming as it does, as Vitale tearfully notes, in "the last chapter" of a blessed life. Former Notre Dame coach turned analyst Digger Phelps calls Vitale "the master of marketing," which has indeed been part of his genius, serving as what amounted to an ambassador for college basketball, in a way that has earned admiration from his broadcasting peers and coaches alike. "In the midst of all that passion there was really good basketball knowledge," says Notre Dame coach Mike Brey.

On Wednesday, Dick Vitale, my mentor, a longtime ESPN college basketball broadcaster and a Hall of Famer, will be the recipient of the Jimmy V Award for ...

After my time at the University of Detroit, I joined Dick as his assistant coach with the Pistons at the age of 28. It was in the summer of 1974, Dick asked me to join his staff as an unpaid graduate assistant with a promise that if an opening occurred, I would be promoted. To date, the Dick Vitale Gala has raised nearly $55 million with a little help from a whole lot of friends. During those years at the University of Detroit, I quickly learned from Dick that the only place success comes before work is in the dictionary. Leading the way for his services was the NBA Detroit Pistons, where Dick’s good friend, Bob Lanier, was building a Hall of Fame career. I watched Dick battle all to keep the finest talent in the metropolitan Detroit area home to play in front of their family and friends at the Livernois-McNichols inner-city university. I was in my final year at the University of Detroit and on my way to a degree in political science when Dick Vitale arrived on campus for his first college head coaching position during the 1973-1974 season. Whenever the Ceciliaville select team played at home and on the road, Dick was there. While the streets of Detroit were ablaze from the rioting in July of 1967, Washington sought to provide shelter to the youth of Detroit by creating basketball leagues at St. Cecilia’s gym. Never forgetting his high school roots, Dick understood the importance of building relationships with every coach that would take his call, and he gave them a standing offer to speak at their end-of-season banquet or summer camp. The million-dollar Motor City question was how the University of Detroit hired another White basketball coach after passing over the legendary Will Robinson to hire Dick’s predecessor, Jim Harding (1969-1973). Robinson was an esteemed Detroit high school coach who as Spencer Haywood’s legal guardian had sent him to Detroit and who, like most of the Titan team, was Black. Life with Harding at Detroit had been a predictable mess. Calihan was the University of Detroit’s first All-American honoree in 1939 and played professionally until returning to be athletic director.

Dick Vitale, the longtime ESPN college basketball broadcaster, will be the recipient of the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance on Wednesday night at the ESPYS ...

Valvano was given the inaugural Arthur Ashe Courage Award — named in honor of the tennis great who died from AIDS following a tainted blood transfusion he received during heart surgery. Vitale will be getting the award named for the late Jim Valvano, the former coach and broadcaster who died of cancer in 1993. “Bottom line is I need to rest them — my voice needs a T.O., BABY!”

Dick Vitale delivered an emotional speech after being honored by the Jimmy V Foundation he has dedicated so much of his life to helping.

When he told Valvano he was going to bring a mic to his seat, the coach would have none of it, telling Vitale: “‘Just get me on the f-ing stage, get me on that stage.’ ” Vitale said “that love and that caring has me standing here today” and pleaded for people to do the same for others. Vitale stressed the importance of donating to fund cancer research through organizations such as the Jimmy V Foundation — named in honor of former North Carolina State coach Jim Valvano, who died of cancer in 1993.

Legendary broadcaster Dick Vitale received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the 2022 ESPYs on Wednesday night. Like only Dickie V. can, ...

A college basketball announcer for over 40 years, Vitale announced last October that he was diagnosed with lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system. Just remember: perseverance, plus passion, plus pride, equals 'win' in the game of life." Vitale had to step away after broadcasting four games to focus on his health. Vitale also took some time to pay homage to the memory of his late friend, Jim Valvano. On April 14, Vitale announced on Twitter that he was cancer-free. The entire 20-minute speech can be viewed on ESPN.com.

A record was set at the ESPY Awards Wednesday — longest acceptance speech in the event's 29-year history.

Dick Vitale was the recipient of the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the 2022 ESPY Awards at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

Winners in the game of life and what you’ve done to pursue your goals. And to me, all of you in this room are special. And remember: perseverance, plus passion, plus pride equals win in the game of life.” Please consider supporting us with a subscription. Surgery was required. “I’ll tell you this Jimmy V, my man, we are not going to stop chasing the dream.