Dick Vitale - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. Full Name: Richard John Vitale, also known as Dick Vitale. 2. Birthdate: Vitale was born on June 9, 1939 in Passaic, New Jersey. 3. Education: He attended Seton Hall University where he played basketball and graduated in 1962 with a degree in business administration. 4. Coaching Career: Vitale began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Rutgers University in 1970. He then became the head coach at the University of Detroit in 1973, leading the team to the NCAA tournament in 1977. 5. Broadcasting Career: Vitale transitioned to broadcasting in 1979, joining ESPN as a college basketball analyst. He quickly became known for his energetic and enthusiastic commentary style. 6. Catchphrases: Vitale is famous for his catchphrases such as "It's awesome, baby!" and "Diaper dandy," which he uses to describe talented young players. 7. Hall of Fame: In 2008, Vitale was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor to the sport. 8. Philanthropy: Vitale is known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly his work with The V Foundation for Cancer Research, which he co-founded in 1993 in honor of his friend and college basketball coach Jim Valvano. 9. Awards: Vitale has received numerous awards for his broadcasting work, including multiple Sports Emmy Awards for Outstanding Sports Personality. 10. Personal Life: Vitale is married to his wife Lorraine, and they have two daughters, Terri and Sherri. He is also a proud grandfather to five grandchildren.