Vitale reflects as Hall of Fame induction looms

Ebullient broadcaster Dick Vitale reflected on his life and career during a ESPN teleconference Tuesday called in conjunction with his upcoming induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Vitale, who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as a “contributor” to the game on Friday, credited ESPN with nothing short of saving his life. He said he wouldn’t have lived long had he stuck with his original intention to be a life-long coach.

“I would have been dead by 50 if I stayed in coaching,” he said. “I couldn’t handle losing.”

Vitale, 69, joined ESPN in 1979, the year his meteoric rise in coaching ended with being fired by the Detroit Pistons. He noted how the all-consuming nature of coaching led, in his case, to bleeding ulcers.

In making the case of coaching being detrimental to good health, Vitale spoke of how he would feel being on the teleconference if he were the University of Detroit coach, which was  his signature college coach.

“I’d be a nervous wreck,” he said. “While talking to you, I’d be worried the Michigan coaches were talking to some kid wanting him to leave Detroit.
“It would drive me bananas.”

Vitale initially turned down ESPN’s offer to commentate on college games. He intended to return to coaching. When ESPN persisted, he tried it and found a new vocation.

Vitale credited broadcasters Jim Simpson and Bob Ley for teaching him how to work games and do studio commentating, respectively.

No one tried to change his gonzo style, he said.

“If I was anything other than what I am, I’d be a fraud,” Vitale said.

Upon receiving the news of his induction, Vitale said he thought of his parents, factory workers who espoused a can-do philosophy.

Vitale described his parents’ philosophy as: “If you’re passionate, a lot of good things can happen.”

The formal induction on Friday will cap an emotional year for Vitale. Earlier, he underwent surgery for throat cancer.

Vitale, 69, has a followup examination on Sunday.