One of the preeminent voices in college basketball is back for the first time in nearly two years. Dick Vitale's most recent television appearance on ESPN was on April 3, 2023.
Vitale was involved in calling the international broadcast of that season's men's basketball national championship game, the University Huskies vs. the San Diego State Aztecs.
The Hall of Fame broadcaster will resume his analyst duties when Duke takes on Wake Forest on Jan. 25 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The 85-year-old made a comeback after battling four different types of cancer for three and a half years.
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College basketball legend Dick Vitale before the SEC Tournament game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Arkansas Razorbacks at Amalie Arena on March 11, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Peter Jonereit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Vitale underwent the latest medical procedure last summer after a biopsy of a lymph node in her neck revealed cancer. Earlier this month, the legendary broadcaster declared himself cancer-free.
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Vitale was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2021, several months after undergoing several surgeries to remove the melanoma. The following year, he announced that he was cancer-free. In 2023, Vitale learned of her vocal cord cancer diagnosis and underwent radiation therapy.
Dick Vitale stands on the sideline during the Men's Champions Classic college basketball game between the Kentucky Wildcats and Michigan State Spartans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on November 15, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Zack Bollinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“I am so thrilled. I can't believe this is happening after five major vocal cord surgeries, 65 radiation treatments, and six months of chemotherapy,” Vitale said in a statement.
“It's been a very tough journey, but the prayers and messages from our beautiful fans have inspired me. I can't thank Jimmy Pitaro and all of my colleagues at ESPN enough. They've become my second family. I can't thank them enough for the love they've shown me.''I hope I can provide people with some insight that can make them even more excited about basketball during these difficult times.'' I am. ”
ESPN analyst Dick Vitale's return to Allen Fieldhouse was praised. (Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
ESPN President Peter Pitaro said Vitale is “a unique person.”
“There is no better ambassador for the world of college basketball than Dick Vitale,” Pitaro said in a statement. “Even as he navigates his own health challenges, Dick continues to find ways to give back and help others. It was an inspiration to everyone.” “Dick is one of a kind and we can't wait to see him do what he loves best again on January 25th on ESPN.”
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Mr. Vitale has been with ESPN for more than 40 years, joining the network during the 1979-1980 college basketball season. Since then, he has been called up for more than 1,000 games.
Vitale was inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame in September.
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