by Christian Fann

Created on: January 24, 2009

His Past (Setting the Stage)

DicK Vitale is a very interesting creature inside the commentator world of professional basketball. He started off in the NBA as the coach of the Detroit Pistons, during the 1978-1979 NBA seasons; he led the team to a record of 30-52 (.366 as a record). After that, Bill Davidson, Pistons owner, came to Vitale's home and informed him that the Pistons were going to change coaches. This all happened during the early stages of the NBA season, twelve games into it, to be sure. The Pistons, at that time, had a 4-8 start.

What he's known for (Broadcasting)

Immediately trailing his days as a coach, Scott Connal offered Vitale a crack at the so-so network, ESPN. Vitale accepted the job but on a temporary basis. He figured that other coaching positions would soon be afforded to him; however he ended up staying on the network for several decades. You can say, when one door closes, another one opens. Vitale was the voice behind the first ESPN college basketball game called on December, 5, 1979. Vitale has called over 1000 games as of 2009. Vitale, as a color commentator, is usually seen in pairings with play-by-play announcers Brad Nessler, Dan Schulman, or even Mike Patrick (for those all-important) ESPN college basketball games, specifically those in the ACC.

In 2006, Vitale signed a contract extension with ESPN through the 2012-2013 basketball seasons. Wow, what an accomplishment, right? The 2008-2009 season, friends, marks Vitale's thirtieth season with the ESPN network. That is longer than I have been alive, how great.

On September, 5, 2008, Vitale was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a key component to the sport; he was denied induction the year previous. Other food for thought, Vitale called his first NBA game since the 1984 NBA playoffs, alongside Dan Shulman on January 7, 2009 when the Heat played against the Denver Nuggets as ESPN traded its NBA and NCC "usual" announcers.

Known for his enthusiasm, Vitale's favorite catchphrase would be, "Diaper Dandy" (A great freshman), or "PTP'er (Prime Time Player) and "Trifecta (Three point basket). Those are just some of the phrases that he uses when he is REALLY into the game. My personal favorite, even if it is a bit "so what?" would be when he says, "Freeze It". He usually says that when he wants the camera to freeze on a certain controversial moment on the floor.

He's just THAT into the game of basketball, for that, if nothing else, he has earned my respect.

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