ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale, a 2008 inductee to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, has received the distinct honor of being the 2012 sportscaster inductee at the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Awards (NSSA) Hall of Fame. Vitale will be honored as part of the 54th annual NSSA Awards Weekend June 8-10.
Vitale said about the honor, “I can’t tell you how blessed I’ve been in my life and career. A loving mom and dad, a fantastic wife of 42 years and two tremendous daughters. I’ve been lucky to work with a fantastic team at ESPN that includes announcers; reporters; researchers, led by my guru Howie Schwab; producers and all the behind-the -scenes people. None of this would be possible without my support system. And that support has come from all the kids on the college campuses who have allowed me to work a job where I can still be a kid myself. Thank you to all of you. And a special thank you for all the support in my newest mission and passion – to raise awareness and money to help kids battle cancer.”
Vitale, college basketball’s top analyst and ambassador, joined ESPN in 1979 – just after the network’s launch – following a college and pro coaching career. His thorough knowledge of the game is brought forth in an enthusiastic, passionate – but never boring – style. He writes regular pieces for ESPN.com/dickvitale, and has his own web site – www.dickvitaleonline.com.
The NSSA & Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization, dedicated to honoring, preserving and celebrating the legacy of the sportscasters and sportswriters in the United States – for their creativity in storytelling, their pursuit of truth and their conveyance of information.
“The NSSA is very excited to have Dick Vitale as
our Hall of Fame sportscaster,” said Dave Goren, NSSA executive director. “The passion and energy he shows for his sport and his job are unmatched. It’s hard to imagine that televised college basketball would have come as far as it has without Dick Vitale’s many contributions.”
With the addition of the NSSA honor, Vitale is now a member of 12 Halls of Fame.
In addition to his dedication to basketball, Vitale is a passionate philanthropist. He’s on the Board of Directors of The V Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to finding a cure for cancer and founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano. He hosts an annual V Foundation Gala in Florida which gathers numerous celebrities to raise money and honor individuals such as Krzyzewski, Bob Knight, Roy Williams, Billy Donovan and Pat Summitt. Additionally, he works very closely with many other charitable organizations, including the Boys & Girls Club of Sarasota (Fla.), which named a building after him for his great contributions — The Dick Vitale Physical Education and Health Training Center.
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Contact: Mike Humes at 860-766-2233 or [email protected]
