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Dick Vitale

Vitale's Impact

Some critics say Vitale represents over-the-top showmanship in broadcasting. "I'm taking up a collection to bribe Dicky V into doing one entire game without raving about some stupid dunk," wrote Bob Ryan, longtime Boston Globe basketball columnist. "The man is a sweetheart human being, but he has no idea how much harm he causes by encouraging on-court nonsense."

Still Going After Laughs

For a song about ESPN's Dick Vitale… [baritone Robert] Goulet sang, to the tune of "Yankee Doodle Dandy":"What the hell's a 'Diaper Dandy'?"

"Or a 'Dipsy-doo Dunk-a-roo'?" "A 'Windex Man' or a 'Slam-Jam-Bam'" "Is that English that he parlez-voos?"

Source: Sandomir, Richard, New York Times, October 28, 1996.

Awards and Accomplishments

1964-70	Coaches East Rutherford High School (N.J.) to four state sectional championships, two state championships and 35-game win streak over seven years
1976	Honorary alumnus, University of Detroit
1977	Coaches University of Detroit to 21-game win streak, upset of eventual national champion Marquette and berth in NCAA tournament
1977	Man of the Year Award, Detroit Athletic Club
1983	amed one of Five Most Influential Personalities by Basketball Times
1989	American Sportscasters Association "Sportscaster of the Year."
1994-95	Wins Cable ACE Awards
1997	Honorary degree, Notre Dame University
1998	Curt Gowdy Media Award, Basketball Hall of Fame
2001	Sarasota Boys and Girls Club inducts Vitale into Hall of Fame, names new fitness center in his honor
2002	Named one of area's most influential citizens by Sarasota Magazine

But Vitale's knowledge of college basketball, and influence within it, are without question. And ratings attest to his recognition factor. "Dick Vitale has been synonymous with college basketball," said Rudy Martzke, media critic for USA Today. "He brings an insider's perspective to each broadcast, and his lifelong relationships provide him a wealth of knowledge few can equal."

Additional topics

Famous Sports StarsSports JournalismDick Vitale Biography - Coaches At All Levels, Soars With Cable Network, Chronology, Lebron James Controversy, Vitale's Impact