College basketball broadcasting legend Dick Vitale returned to the booth for ESPN’s broadcast of the Gonzaga-UCLA game on Tuesday night in Las Vegas, just one month after he revealed that he’d been diagnosed with lymphoma.
When Vitale revealed the lymphoma diagnosis in an essay on Oct. 18, he said that he planned to continue working while undergoing six months of chemotherapy.
Tuesday night featured the perfect game for the voice of college basketball to make his return to the ESPN booth: the No. 1 team (Gonzaga) in the country vs the No. 2 team (UCLA) in the country.
Here’s a look at Vitale arriving in the arena before the game:
Here’s Dickie V entering the arena before Gonzaga-UCLA. 🏀 pic.twitter.com/AT7lDELhMT
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 24, 2021
At the beginning of the broadcast, ESPN play-by-play man welcomed Vitale back to the booth, and Vitale got very emotional:
An emotional Dick Vitale returns to the booth. pic.twitter.com/zSK4OLNZWy
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 24, 2021
“It’s great being here, Dave. I didn’t want to cry. I can’t believe I’m sitting here. It’s really a big thrill for me. I want to thank all of you people that sent me so many great messages. ESPN, Jimmy Pitaro, all my buddies at ESPN. I want to thank certainly my family and all the fans. You’ve been unbelievable.”
During a break in the game, ESPN reporter and college basketball analyst Sean Farnham had young Gonzaga and UCLA fans show off “Dickie V” and “Never Give Up” jerseys for Vitale.
Vitale said, “Get me their addresses! I’ll mail ’em something! I wanna mail ’em a gift!”
Young Gonzaga and UCLA basketball fans show off “Dickie V” and “Never Give Up” jerseys for Dick Vitale.
“Get me their addresses! I’ll mail ’em something! I wanna mail ’em a gift!” pic.twitter.com/7Uk1ZWlWdb
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 24, 2021
While it’s been a very emotional night for Vitale, he’s still bringing his usual enthusiasm and catchphrases with the commentary.
Dick Vitale bringing his trademark enthusiasm:
“Oh wow! Wow! They are on fire! Dan Patrick, en fuego, baby! En fuego! They are on fire, the Zags! pic.twitter.com/KJz4QCviCH
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 24, 2021
A classic Dick Vitale call on this incredible drive and dunk from Gonzaga freshman star Chet Holmgren. pic.twitter.com/yuXdIRVpJj
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 24, 2021
Vitale also spoke about the need for less hate and more love.
Dick Vitale: “If we all treated one another like we want to be treated, we wouldn’t have all this hate that we have. We need more love in our nation.” pic.twitter.com/CVWPNUHsnX
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 24, 2021
Welcome back, Dickie V. College basketball isn’t the same without you.
[Photo Credit: ESPN]
About Matt Clapp
Matt is an editor/writer at The Comeback and Awful Announcing.
He can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.