The famous Richard John Vitale, also known as Dickie V, is an American basketball sportscaster. A former head coach in the college and professional ranks, he is well known for his 41-year tenure as a college basketball broadcaster for ESPN.
Vitale is also a columnist for Basketball Times, has served as a guest columnist for USA Today since 1991, and has been a featured guest on virtually every sports radio station across the nation. He’s also been profiled by a wide array of national magazines, ranging from Sports Illustrated, Sport and The Sporting News to People, Playboy, and Travel & Leisure. He received eight CableACE nominations and captured awards in 1994 and 1995.
Dick once said l am living the American dream, I learned from my mom and dad, who didn’t have a formal education, but had doctorates of love. They told me that if you gave 110 percent all the time, a lot of beautiful things will happen. I may not always be right, but no one can ever accuse me of not having a genuine love and passion for whatever I do. And ESPN has been grateful enough to recognize this.
And while his knowledge, preparation, and enthusiasm are unparalleled, his Vitale-isms have unwittingly taken on a life of their own. Just a few of his many household phrases: Awesome, Baby!, Get a TO, Baby! (call a timeout), PTP’er (prime-time player), M & M’er (a mismatch), Rolls Roycer (a flat-out superstar), diaper dandy (freshman star), and All-Windex Performer (ferocious rebounder), and Maalox time (the final minutes of a close game). Vitale credits Hall of Fame broadcaster Jim Simpson, whom he teamed with in the early 80s, in helping him develop his broadcast style.
Who was Dick Vitale’s father John Vitale?
The famous Richard John Vitale, also known as Dickie V, father John Vitale was an American football player. He played college football as a center and offensive guard for the University of Michigan from 1985 to 1988. He was selected as a consensus All-American center in 1988. He later played professional football for the San Antonio Riders of the World League of American Football in 1991 and the Detroit Drive of the Arena Football League from 1993 to 1994.
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