WATCH: Dick Vitale makes emotional return to UCLA-Gonzaga broadcast
ESPN college basketball broadcaster Dick Vitale made an emotional return to the sidelines on Tuesday night.
Entering his 43rd season with ESPN, Vitale received jarring news heading into the 2021 college basketball season: after years of holding charity events, spreading awareness and raising money for cancer research in honor of his friend, legendary coach Jim Valvano, Vitale learned that he too had been diagnosed with cancer. But after undergoing treatment for lymphoma, Vitale made his long-awaited return to the sidelines as No. 1 Gonzaga played No. 2 UCLA in Las Vegas.
The broadcast turned emotional rather quickly, as Vitale predicted it would. He fought through tears shortly before opening tip-off.
“It’s just great. It’s great being here,” Vitale said as he fought back emotions. “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 you people for sending me so many great messages — ESPN, Jimmy Pitaro, my buddies at ESPN; I want to thank certainly my family and all the fans. You’ve been unbelievable.
“On Oct. 12, I’ll be honest with you, when they walked in and told me they thought it was bile duct cancer, and it was really going to be serious surgery and all — I never dreamt that I’d be courtside again. But to be here today … I feel so emotional. Let’s get this game started and talk some basketball.”
As Vitale later learned, the doctors’ original diagnosis of bile duct cancer proved inaccurate. Instead, he was diagnosed with lymphoma, which is typically a much more treatable type of cancer.
After receiving clearance from his doctors to call the UCLA-Gonzaga game, a rematch of the historic Final Four matchup from last season, Vitale released the following statement through ESPN:
“My family and I are absolutely jumping with joy. Knowing I’ll be courtside with all my buddies and calling No. 1 versus No. 2, this is the best medicine I could ask for. To all of you I simply say ‘thank you from the bottom of my heart’ for four prayers and messages, phone calls and texts. They gave me energy and lifted me up at a time that is not fun city – chemo for six months. To my ESPN family, starting with Jimmy Pitaro – I love you all. I’m so proud to start my 43rd year on Tuesday. Lastly, to the fans – you have given me a career that has exceeded any dream I’ve ever had.”
Surely, hearing his voice on the sidelines again is a thrill for college basketball fans, too.