There are reasons to miss Dickie V

   I'm going to miss Dick Vitale. Vitale, who underwent surgery on his vocal cords Tuesday, won't return to ESPN and college basketball until February, maybe later.

   Vitale can get on your nerves. He gets on mine. He deifies coaches. If North Carolina's Butch Davis coached basketball, Vitale probably would have lobbied the Tar Heels to give him an even bigger raise. He won four games, baby!

   But Vitale is real, and his love for the sport more than offsets his cheerleading. There are so many people who complain incessantly about bosses and co-workers. The man and a woman at the table next to mine in the S. Tryon Street coffee shop last week talked non-stop for 30 minutes about the company for which they worked, and every sentence was invested with put-upon anger.

   Vitale's respect for his sport and for his job pervades everything he does. He is excited enough for him and for viewers, and you can't help but get caught up in his enthusiasm.

   Also, he doesn't think he's a big deal. So many broadcasters (and even a few newspaper reporters) assume since the sport they cover is important they are, too.

   Vitale doesn't. The man you see on TV is the same man you see at courtside, in the press room and in hotel lobbies. He's gracious, he's humble and he truly enjoys his fans.

   College basketball won't be the same without him.

   Will you miss Vitale while he's out? Why or why not? Post your thoughts in the comments section below.

Comments

[Clayj]

Dick Vitale really used to bug me. But as time has passed, I've gotten used to his brand of high-octane enthusiasm... he's not the most in-depth analyst of college hoops, but he is fun to listen to in the same way that the late Harry Carey was fun to listen to (and ripe for parody, too; maybe Frank Caliendo could do a good Vitale impression?).

Get well soon, Dick!

[Al W]

Dicky V is one of the greats in Broadcasting. He can and does get on many peoples nerves, but I think he is great. I compare him to John Madden with football. He is very knowledgable of the game, loves the players, coaches, and the fans. He has a personality that a lot of broadcast folks lack. Excitement Breeds excitement. He will be missed at least by me. My wife on the other hand will be happy until he comes back. He drives her crazy.

[angie]

YES! I absolutely love Dick V.! He will be missed. His is so enthusiatic - I have to agree with "AI W" - his excitement breeds excitement! And his phrases! LOVE his phrases!

[Authority]

Dickie V will not be missed. The last UNC game he announced, he spent less than 5 minutes of the game talking about what was happening on the court. Between gushing about duke, Jimmy V, some kid with cancer, and his personal life, he completely failed to let the viewer know such trivia as who was fouled, who made the turnover, what the whistle was blown for, why the other team suddenly got the ball, etc.

It was like being at a sports bar watching a game with the sound turned off and some loud woman yelling at her kids in the next booth.

When Vitale decides to talk about the game in front of him, he'll be relevant again. Until then, he's just a buffoon.

[Authority]

Dickie V will not be missed. The last UNC game he announced, he spent less than 5 minutes of the game talking about what was happening on the court. Between gushing about duke, Jimmy V, some kid with cancer, and his personal life, he completely failed to let the viewer know such trivia as who was fouled, who made the turnover, what the whistle was blown for, why the other team suddenly got the ball, etc.

It was like being at a sports bar watching a game with the sound turned off and some loud woman yelling at her kids in the next booth.

When Vitale decides to talk about the game in front of him, he'll be relevant again. Until then, he's just a buffoon.

[DickKrychszeakdolkoaieski]

Authority,
I strongly disagree. I don't think that Vitale talking about the game again will make him relevant. He should go write a book or something,but keep his mumbling monotone out of my ear.

[JimmyV fan]

My respect for Dick Vitale was elevated as he did and continues to keep Jim Valvano in our lives. His work on the V foundation is tremendous and I will never forget the ESPY night where my admiration for Coach K and Vitale was elevated. We should all be grateful to have witnessed such love on live TV. Dick transcends college basketball and he is without equal. Like the late Al McQuire, college basketball needs Vitale. I wish him a speedy recovery and God bless him during this time. ---Proud alum from NCSU class of 1993. Go Pack!!

[c.j.johnson]

i also agree dickie V. is great for the sport he does his homework. i look forward to seeing him for the big games just like i enjoy big charles on t.n.t... they both are honest and hold players,fans and coaches accontable.