Red carpet arrivals for the ESPY Awards
What stars and athletes were out in Hollywood for the ESPY Awards?
Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
What stars and athletes were out in Hollywood for the ESPY Awards?
Former Rutgers basketball assistant and ESPN legend Dick Vitale is cancer-free.
Dick Vitale is cancer-free.
A legend and one of the most beloved personalities in not just college basketball but the entire sports industry, Vitale announced to the world on his social media channels that he is now cancer-free. Vitale had been battling lymphoma, a diagnosis that he revealed this past October.
He did the traditional ringing of the bell at Sarasota Memorial Hospital where he received his treatment. The ringing of the bell is a long-standing tradition in many hospitals for patients who have completed treatment and are free of cancer.
Vitale’s roots in New Jersey are deep. The 82-year old Vitale was born in Passaic, attended Seton Hall, took his first coaching jobs at Garfield High School and then in East Rutherford. He then spent two seasons at Rutgers as an assistant under Dick Young.
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Dick Vitale, cancer conqueror @DickieV pic.twitter.com/XA4j0RHGIQ
— Joey Knight (@TBTimes_Bulls) April 14, 2022
Vitale then became a national name for his coaching job at Detroit, taking the program to the NCAA Tournament. He then spent a little over a season in the NBA with the Detroit Pistons before beginning a four-decade career at ESPN as one of their analysts and personalities.
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Do you like Dickie V’s picks?
College basketball hasn’t felt quite the same this year as Dick Vitale hasn’t been able to announce games since before the new year because of complications from his battle with cancer. The good news for all is that Vitale appears to be on the mend, in fact he even showed up at the SEC Tournament over the weekend.
That doesn’t mean he’ll be back in front of a TV camera giving his “Diaper Dandies” and “PTPers” anytime too soon, unfortunately.
However, Vitale did release his bracket picks on Sunday night. See below to find out who the legendary commentator has winning each regional and ultimately cutting down the nets.
Great news to start March, @dickieV!
If you’re a fan in the slightest of college basketball you’re familiar with commentator Dick Vitale. The man has an energy for life that is matched by very few and a love for college basketball that is second to none.
Vitale, 82, has been battling cancer and had to miss the majority of the 2021-22 college basketball season as a result. He’s been very open on social media about the entire battle and provided inspiration and the sense of community for those facing similar situations.
On Tuesday, Dickie-V shared the best possible news any of us could have hoped for during March Madness:
OMG ALL THE PRAYERS many of u have sent have been answered as DR Brown who heads my cancer TEAM called & said PET SCAN came back that NO CANCER is showing. I feel like a coach playing for the Final 4 has a PTPer hit a shot at buzzer. My MARCH MADNESS starts with a W baby ! pic.twitter.com/HS2yI3wgpB
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) March 8, 2022
Now that’s “AWESOME WITH A CAPITAL A!”
Vitale has helped raise over $44 million dollars to fight pediatric cancer over the years. Vitale’s annual gala event occurs this coming May as that incredible number will continue to climb.
You can find ways to donate to Vitale’s fundraising efforts by visiting his webpage.
Related:
Twitter is abuzz after the biggest moment of the season.
Notre Dame has been looking for anything to turn this season around, and it might have just found it. A 66-62 upset win over No. 10 Kentucky not only puts the Irish back at .500, but it provides a confidence boost in just about everybody. If you don’t believe us, look no further than Twitter. It was full of videos and reactions in the aftermath of this big moment:
🔥 @blakewesley0 really did that
— Notre Dame Basketball (@NDmbb) December 12, 2021
WILD, WILD IRISH WIN!@NDmbb knocks off No. 10 Kentucky in a 66-62 victory at Purcell Pavilion!#GoIrish pic.twitter.com/H8jim6PdDj
— The Fighting Irish (@FightingIrish) December 12, 2021
Let’s go @NDmbb!! Congrats on a huge win! pic.twitter.com/iC3OpkK11Q
— Marcus Freeman (@Marcus_Freeman1) December 12, 2021
Mood. pic.twitter.com/O6qoItpGm2
— Notre Dame Basketball (@NDmbb) December 12, 2021
To our student section, to our fans — couldn't have done that without you! What an electric atmosphere ☘️#GoIrish pic.twitter.com/E7L6q0nSAt
— Notre Dame Basketball (@NDmbb) December 12, 2021
WOW! Notre Dame just upset No. 10 Kentucky! pic.twitter.com/eIYjxlsKG0
— Megan Smedley (@Megan_WNDU) December 12, 2021
Notre Dame hoops. Needed this one. https://t.co/X5Z9D6psGU
— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) December 12, 2021
A win that @NDmbb at home needed to get back some swag with this vet team vs Top 10 @KentuckyMBB 66-62 ! The Golden Dome is rocking – great way to tip off Final exams for next week. Irish had lost 3 in a row & the Cats have dominated inferior comp. @NDMikeBrey gets major W! pic.twitter.com/c2mXHI23U7
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) December 12, 2021
Freshman got game 🔥☘️. Big Win! @NDmbb
— Pat Connaughton (@pconnaughton) December 12, 2021
I smell an upset👀👀 #GoIrish ☘️
— Demetrius Jackson (@D_Jay11) December 12, 2021
Couldn’t have been a better environment at Purcell Pavilion to celebrate LaPhonso’s induction into our Ring of Honor.
Congrats to “Phonz” on the honor and @NDmbb with the big win over Kentucky!#BeIrish pic.twitter.com/Hb4VS9va36
— Jack Swarbrick (@NotreDameAD) December 12, 2021
Can’t say it enough.
BLAKE WESLEY IS A FRICKIN PRO.
— jordan cornette (@jordancornette) December 12, 2021
He was back for Gonzaga-UCLA.
Just over a month ago, the legendary Dick Vitale revealed to the world that he had been diagnosed with lymphoma, the second cancer diagnosis he had received this year (he announced he had melanoma in August).
But that didn’t stop him from working as he gets treatment.
With Gonzaga and UCLA playing on Tuesday night, Vitale returned to the air with ESPN, and when he was introduced on the air by Dave O’Brien, he was in tears.
“I can’t believe I’m sitting here,” he said. “This really is a big thrill for me. I want to thank all you people, sent me so many great messages, ESPN, Jimmy Pitaro, all my buddies at ESPN. I want to thank certainly, my family and all the fans. You’ve been unbelievable.”
We're so happy you're back, @DickieV ❤️
#VStrongBaby pic.twitter.com/oEjtAAOi3U
— ESPN (@espn) November 24, 2021
Just making final prep for game @espn 10 EST # 1 GONZAGA – #2 UCLA – to be honest on Oct 12 when given the cancer diagnosis I never thought that I would be at courtside tonight / ur 🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️ have helped so so much . To ALL of u in any battle “Don’t ever believe in can’t”! pic.twitter.com/ty1rszeAp1
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) November 23, 2021
Young Gonzaga and UCLA basketball fans show off "Dickie V" and "Never Give Up" jerseys for Dick Vitale.
"Get me their addresses! I'll mail 'em something! I wanna mail 'em a gift!" pic.twitter.com/7Uk1ZWlWdb
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 24, 2021
And here’s him calling a Chet Holmgren dunk:
A classic Dick Vitale call on this incredible drive and dunk from Gonzaga freshman star Chet Holmgren. pic.twitter.com/yuXdIRVpJj
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 24, 2021
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Awesome, baby!
Dick Vitale’s love for Notre Dame isn’t something the legendary college basketball commentator shies away from. He wears his love for the Fighting Irish and University on his sleeve, has had several family members attend Notre Dame, and spends a good amount of his free time soaking up football Saturday’s on campus.
Vitale recently announced he’s again battling cancer, the second time he’s done so in just months. The announcement came just a couple of weeks after Vitale was in South Bend for the Notre Dame-Cincinnati game.
On Friday, Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan had a message for Vitale that made the man that usually has so much to say, practically speechless.
A message for @DickieV from his Irish family. ☘️@jcoan17 | #GoIrish pic.twitter.com/6Df4hmvesv
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) October 29, 2021
The message was short, sweet and very well-received by Vitale.
This has brought tears to my eyes / wow @jcoan17 with a very touching message ! @NDFootball @CoachBrianKelly @NDMikeBrey @MuffetMcGraw @miketirico @jksports @HoopsWeiss @ESPNPR https://t.co/2O7bHgyyuh
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) October 29, 2021
All the best to Dickie V in this ongoing battle. You’re awesome and got this, baby!
Related:
Notre Dame vs. North Carolina: Game predictions
What the experts are predicting between Notre Dame and North Carolina
Notre Dame is riding high after reasserting itself as the dominant team of late in its rivalry with USC. After a one-year absence, the excitement for this matchup had not dwindled, and it was great to see the game play out as it did. There will come …
Notre Dame is riding high after reasserting itself as the dominant team of late in its rivalry with USC. After a one-year absence, the excitement for this matchup had not dwindled, and it was great to see the game play out as it did. There will come a season in which the Irish lose to the Trojans again, but 2021 will not be the year. So the only thing to do is celebrate.
Here are some Irish fans who reacted to this game for better or worse:
A win is a win. #NotreDame offense was better. Defense missed Hamilton & the tackling was utterly horrendous.
— Zig Fracassi (@ZigFracassi) October 24, 2021
Most enjoyable to see @NDFootball roll over longtime rival @uscfootball, 31-16. Fighting Irish played well on both sides of the ball. ND RB Kyren Williams had an outstanding game — 138 yards on 25 carries and 2 TDs; 6 receptions for 42 yds. That's 4 in a row for ND over USC☘️🏈
— Jim Donaldson (@JimDonaldsonJr) October 24, 2021
— Tommy Rees (@T_Rees11) October 24, 2021
Go Irish!!!! ☘️☘️☘️ @NDFootball !!!!
— Brady Quinn (@Brady_Quinn) October 24, 2021
Congratulations @NDFootball #GoIrish 🏈☘️☘️☘️
— IRV Smith (@IrvSmith8284) October 24, 2021
Hell yes, @tylerbuchner. Good for you! @NDFootball
— Rick Mirer (@RickMirer) October 24, 2021
The fighting Irish @NDFootball win over @USC_FB 31-16 as The VBDI predicted earlier today .Here Come the Irish / stock of @CoachBrianKelly is going uptown . @EHansenNDI @NDJackNolan pic.twitter.com/JBxpqJChVD
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) October 24, 2021
Great Win Fighting Irish @NDFootball 🍀🍀🍀
— Justin Tuck (@JustinTuck) October 24, 2021
After yet another @NDFootball win over Southern California, this Jeweled Shillelagh Trophy gets to stay home at Notre Dame! #GoIrish pic.twitter.com/S439ZeHEk4
— John Garrett (@The_JohnGarrett) October 24, 2021