Tag: Dick Vitale

Legendary ESPN announcer Dick Vitale no longer scheduled to call Duke basketball game

After a setback unrelated to his recent battles with cancer, Dick Vitale won’t call the upcoming Duke basketball game against Wake Forest.

Just one day after ESPN scheduled legendary broadcaster Dick Vitale for next week’s Duke basketball game against Wake Forest, Vitale said he’d need to push back his eventual reunion with the sport.

ESPN announced that Vitale, who hadn’t called an NCAA basketball game since the end of the 2022-23 season, will miss the January 25 game in Winston-Salem because of an accident at his house in Florida. Vitale and the network stressed that the incident was not related to his battles with cancer, but it won’t allow him to travel to North Carolina for the game.

“I’m devastated that I won’t be courtside with my ESPN buddy Dave O’Brien,” Vitale said in ESPN’s report. “Especially because of the overwhelming response I received when news of my planned return was announced.”

Vitale, who has fought four different kinds of cancer in the past four years, announced he was cancer-free through social media in December. In the initial story about his return, he tallied his treatment at five major vocal cord surgeries, six months of chemotherapy, and 65 radiation treatments.

“I will continue to do whatever it takes to get back to calling the sport I love,” Vitale concluded in the report.

Legendary ESPN announcer Dick Vitale to return for Duke basketball game vs Wake Forest

ESPN announced on Friday that legendary basketball announcer Dick Vitale would call the January 25 game between Duke and Wake Forest.

College basketball announcer Dick Vitale, one of the most legendary voices in the sport’s history, returns to the booth for a Duke game next weekend.

ESPN announced on Friday that Vitale, who hasn’t worked a game since 2023, will be in Winston-Salem for the Blue Devils’ game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on January 25.

Vitale started with the network in 1979-80, its first season broadcasting major NCAA basketball games, and worked more than 1,000 games since. However, he’s spent more than three years battling multiple forms of cancer.

He announced he was cancer-free through social media in December. In the ESPN release about his return, he tallied his treatment at six months of chemotherapy, five major vocal cord surgeries, and 65 radiation treatments.

“It’s been a very tough journey, but all of the prayers and messages from the beautiful fans have inspired me,” Vitale said. “I just hope that I can offer the people some basketball insights that can bring even more excitement to the game.”

Duke tips off against Wake Forest at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time on Saturday, January 25.

Dick Vitale names Texas A&M HC Buzz Williams his National Coach of the Week

College basketball legend Dick Vitale names Aggie HC Buzz Williams to his Weekly Stars

The legendary Dick Vitale has dropped his “Dicky V’s Weekly Stars,” and Texas A&M basketball head coach Buzz Williams was named National Coach of the Week after beating Purdue 70-66 for another top-25 win.

Buzz is one of the more unique coaches in college basketball who is well-read and extremely animated on the sidelines. He truly believes that developing his players as men is more important than just creating a good basketball team.

Because of this, he has a low transfer rate and tends to have teams that stay together for a long time. He also builds long-lasting relationships with his players and other coaches, who have helped him grow to where he is now. This season is a culmination of what Buzz has been trying to build here at Texas A&M, and the bright future is bright.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1.

Alabama guard Mark Sears named Dickie V’s Player of the Week

Alabama point guard Mark Sears had an exemplary showing in Alabama’s two games this past week. As a result, he was named the Dickie V’s Player of the Week.

One Alabama player stood out among the rest this past week. Alabama guard Mark Sears was named Dickie V’s Player of the Week.

Sears had an exemplary showing in Alabama’s games against Georgia and Mississippi State this past week. The Alabama native averaged 22.0 points per game, 4.5 rebounds per game, and 4.0 assists per game.

Sears was instrumental in helping orchestrate Alabama’s come-from-behind win on the road against Georgia. He led all scorers with 23 points.

He continued his scoring success with a great outing against Mississippi State. He scored 21 points in that matchup.

Altogether, Sears is one of the top scorers in the SEC, much less the country. He is undoubtedly Alabama’s leader and has displayed that time and time again throughout his senior season.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the latest news regarding the Alabama men’s basketball program.

ESPN analyst Dick Vitale (a former Rutgers basketball assistant) is battling cancer, provides a post-surgery update

Dick Vitale provides an update on his battle with cancer.

Dick Vitale provided a positive and encouraging update on his battle with cancer. The ESPN college basketball analyst, who was a Rutgers basketball assistant at the start of his career, appears to be making progress following surgery this week.

Vitale has been bravely (and successfully) battling vocal cord cancer for the past several years. In July, he was diagnosed with cancer for a third time.

He has been posting regular updates on X (the social media platform formerly known as Twitter) about his surgery and recovery this week.

One of the most popular analysts and personalities on ESPN, Vitale was an assistant with the Rutgers men’s basketball program for two seasons before taking over the University of Detroit in 1973.

He has been a college basketball analyst at ESPN since 1979.

[lawrence-related id=34238]

 

Rutgers basketball has been active in rooting for Vitale’s recovery.

The ESPN analyst has used his fight with cancer as a platform to encourage others and also as an educational tool to create greater awareness for screening and treatment.

The surgery came at the recommendation of Dr. Steven Zeitels of Massachusetts General Hospital. He is one of the nation’s foremost authorities on laryngeal surgery, making him a real PTP (prime time physician).

[lawrence-related id=34318,34305]

The intent of the surgery is to strengthen Vitale’s vocal cords.

 

Dick Vitale names Brad Brownell his Coach of the Week

Dickie V acknowledges the success Brad Brownell has had coaching the Tigers.

Clemson men’s basketball has been on a tear this season and find themselves in a position they haven’t very often… as one of the best teams in the country.

This past Monday, Dick Vitale released his weekly awards via Twitter/X, naming his Player of the Week, Diaper Dandy of the Week, Team of the Week, and finally, his Coach of the Week. The Tigers’ head coach, Brad Brownell, earned Coach of the Week honors after a wildly successful run for his team.

Clemson (9-0, 1-0 ACC) took down two undefeated teams heading into the matchup. They took down rivals South Carolina 72-67 on Wednesday in Littlejohn Coliseum. They later traveled to Toronto to take down TCU 74-66 on Saturday as they participated in the Hall of Fame Series.

It was an excellent week for the Tigers, right in line with how this season has gone.

LOOK: Tom Izzo sends heartfelt message to Dick Vitale as Jimmy V Week begins

Tom Izzo sends heartfelt message to Dick Vitale as Jimmy V Week begins

It’s Jimmy V (Valvano) week, which means that ESPN and the V Foundation will work to raise funds towards cancer research as well as raise awareness around the world.

Dick Vitale, the legendary college basketball coach and commentator, has been battling lymphoma since 2021, and given the week, Michigan State basketball head coach Tom Izzo sent his buddy a long, heartfelt message, which Vitale shared on social media.

‘Hope you’re doing better everyday. I know this is such a special week for you with the Jimmy V. event but every week is special because you never stop working. We all love you for that and I mean that ! You have created such a culture it’s unbelievable. Doesn’t matter what sport or venue they are all supporting you. As a coach you try to impact a player or even a University. You my friend have impacted the WORLD !!! Wow now that’s a legacy. Someday myself or a family member is going to live longer because of you. Life is more valuable than money. So where I help some kid from the hood help himself and his family. You help save lives. I’m a NOBODY compared to you. Love you Dick think of you often but this is a week you helped create that is SPECIAL. Thank you tell Lorraine hi. Izz PS have my first grandchild she’s 4 months old. Trying to catch you. Keep getting well.’

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Andrew Brewster on Twitter @IAmBrewster.

ESPN analyst Dick Vitale, a former Rutgers basketball assistant, reflects on the late Bobby Knight

ESPN analyst Dick Vitale remembers the life of Bobby Knight.

On Wednesday, the college basketball world lost a legend in Bobby Knight, who passed away at 83-years old. The Naismith Hall of Famer won 20 or more games in a season 29 times and finished his coaching career with a 902-371 record. While Knight was known for his success on the court, he made an impact on everyone he crossed paths with, including Dick Vitale.

A former Rutgers basketball assistant coach, Vitale is a legend of the coaching ranks but also as an analyst with ESPN. Vitale paid tribute to Knight this week.

Knights’s coaching career began at Army, but he made history at Indiana. During his time with the Hoosiers, he guided the program to 661 wins and 24 NCAA tournament appearances. After Knight retired from coaching during the 2008-2009 season, he joined ESPN.

Vitale’s timeline has been filled with tributes of Knight:

 

 

 

 

During his time with ESPN, Knight was a wealth of basketball knowledge. His impact was felt by his coworkers, which included Vitale. In July, when Vitale announced that his vocal cord cancer had resurfaced, he thanked his ESPN family for their support.

[lawrence-related id=31686,31679]

While the basketball world has lost a one-of-a-kind, Knight’s impact will never be forgotten. He etched himself into the college record books and will forever be tied to numerous college and NBA legends.

 

Regardless of how much time passes, there will never be another Bobby Knight.

Dick Vitale shares health update

All the best to Dickie V

When you think of college basketball, few people have done more to promote the sport than Dick Vitale.  Love him or hate him in the broadcast booth, you can’t question his passion for the game.

You also can’t question his love for the University of Notre Dame.  Vitale has had several family members attend the university with some even lettering on different athletic teams.

If you’ve been paying attention in recent years Vitale has had some health scares.  He had a battle with cancer and has had an issue with his vocal cords that kept him off broadcasts recently.  Unfortunately it seems that some of those have reappeared.

All the best in these upcoming surgeries and recoveries, Dickie V.  As always whenever we post about Vitale here, I’d just like you to remember that the man has helped raise over $55 million against childhood cancer to date.

See some of the best photos of Dickie V around Notre Dame over the years below.

How social media reacted to Notre Dame-Duke: Irish side

Are you happy, relieved or both?

It looked like for a second straight season, Notre Dame was headed for a letdown after losing to Ohio State. But the Irish got one final chance to prevent the upset by Duke, starting at their own 5-yard line.

It all came down to whether the Irish could convert on a fourth-and-long at the middle of the field. [autotag]Sam Hartman[/autotag] found a bunch of real estate nearby and picked up the first down in amazing fashion:

With the Irish now in field-goal range, they focused on just running the ball to put [autotag]Spencer Shrader[/autotag] in good position for a game-winning kick. [autotag]Audric Estime[/autotag] decided that wasn’t good enough and instead took it to the house from 30 yards out:

The Irish held on for the 21-14 victory. The fan base might have sweated off a few pounds watching this game, but there is happiness among it. Here are some of the best reactions on social media: