Earlier this month, legendary college basketball broadcaster Dick Vitale posted an update detailing he is now cancer free after receiving a clean PET scan. And while he may still have a long road back to returning back to work in the broadcast booth, Vitale outlined that he is working toward that goal.
Vitale, who is still recovering from all of the treatment and operations regarding his vocal cord cancer, conversed with Seth Davis of Hoops HQ in a series of texts to discuss various topics around his positive diagnosis. One of which, asked by Davis, was about whether we could see Vitale return to broadcasting at some point this season.
While Vitale wouldn’t definitively declare that he would be returning, he did mention that he will have a better feel about his availability after another follow-up scope of his vocal cords in January, going on to say that it is still his intention to return if he is cleared.
“I will have a better feel after the scoping of my vocal cords in early January. He was very optimistic after he heard my motivational tip of the day,” wrote Vitale to Davis. “It really all depends on what happens during my exam with Dr Zeitels. Praying for good news!”
Davis then brought up the option of potentially calling games remotely should that be easier on Vitale. Again, Vitale didn’t want to confidently say anything, but did agree that it was at least a potential option.
“It is an option if Dr. Zeitels is pleased after scoping me,” added Vitale. “He was very happy with my voice in the video. Remember I have had cancer of vocal cords plus 35 radiation treatments on them plus in last 2 years at least 3 operations plus numerous scopes.”
At 85 years of age, nobody would fault Vitale if he was never able to call another college basketball game again given all that he has been through with multiple bouts of cancer. Not to mention all of the great memories he has been apart of over the course of his 41-year broadcasting career.
However, it sure seems like Vitale is quite eager to return to the broadcast booth should he get good news from his doctor about his vocal cords.
Any chance that college basketball fans get to hear Vitale call a college basketball game is of course incredibly welcomed by the vast majority of viewers. So it’s sure safe to say that everyone is hoping for Vitale to get another clean bill of health and potentially get cleared in January to return to ESPN airwaves.
[Hoops HQ]