The college basketball world has rallied around longtime ESPN commentator Dick Vitale as he’s battled cancer. On Wednesday, he was given fantastic news. The cancer that had been in remission was now gone. Vitale is cancer-free.
There’s no greater source than the man himself, who gleefully made the announcement in Twitter.
Dr Rick Brown just notified me with my results of my major Pet Scan & told me news I wish EVERY cancer patient can hear . He said “Dick u have gone from being in remission to being CANCER FREE” ! Thank u to ALL of YOU that have sent me 🙏🙏🙏 .
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) August 17, 2022
The college basketball world was gleeful at Vitale’s announcement.
Amazing news for an amazing human being! https://t.co/RtZtyAmSqH
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) August 17, 2022
News that will bring joy to everyone. You are a treasure, @DickieV, and college basketball will continue to be better because of you. God is great. https://t.co/90c9cstIx0
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) August 18, 2022
This is the best #FCancer https://t.co/wdz2yA81Oy
— Cameron Gray (@Cameron_Gray) August 17, 2022
Best news ever! Ring that bell, Dickie V! https://t.co/ceAbZIOPOD
— Pam Chvotkin, Storyteller (@reddusfoximus) August 17, 2022
Man, how great is this? https://t.co/V4ejhJFtii
— Paul Pabst (@PaulPabst) August 18, 2022
Vitale’s battle with cancer has been an emotional one. At the ESPYs in July, Vitale was named the recipient of the 2022 Jimmy V Award, an award named after his longtime friend and former North Carolina State basketball coach, Jim Valvano, who passed away from cancer in 1993. Vitale has also long been heavily involved in the V Foundation for Cancer Research.
Vitale had undergone surgery for melanoma in August of 2021. The following October, doctors found lymphoma.
The 83-year-old has been calling college basketball games with ESPN since 1979 and has emerged as college basketball’s most prominent voice. While he did call games during the 2021-22 season, Vitale announced in January that he wouldn’t call any more games for the rest of the season. At the time, Vitale expressed optimism that he’d be back calling games for the 2022-23 season.
When Vitale does return to the broadcast booth, expect a lot of emotion from everyone around.
[Dick Vitale on Twitter]
