Dick Vitale is well known as college basketball’s top analyst and ambassador. Vitale joined ESPN during the 1979-80 season following a successful college and pro coaching career. Vitale called ESPN’s first-ever NCAA basketball game and over 1,000 games since.His thorough knowledge of the game is brought forth in an enthusiastic, passionate, and never boring style. Vitale’s numerous honors reflect the respect he has earned for his contributions to sport and to the larger community and are highlighted by his inclusion in nine Halls of Fame, including the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Most importantly, Vitale is a tireless philanthropist. He was a founding member of 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 who died of the disease that year. Since its beginning, the V Foundation has awarded over $170 million in grants for research.Vitale’s primary interest is in children’s cancer and he has been tireless in his efforts. He co-chairs the annual V Foundation Golf Classic and is preparing to host the 12^th Annual Dick Vitale – V Foundation Gala in Sarasota, which raised nearly $3 million last year alone.

Born in East Rutherford, N.J., Vitale graduated from Seton Hall University with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and earned a master’s degree in education from William Paterson College. He and his wife, Lorraine, have two daughters.