Richard John Vitale (/vaɪˈtæl/; born June 9, 1939), also known as "Dickie V", is an American basketball coach and sportscaster. He is known for his career as a college basketball broadcaster for ESPN. Vitale was born in Passaic, New Jersey.[1] In 2008, he was honored into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. From 1978 until 1979, he coached the Detroit Pistons.
Vitale was diagnosed with melanoma in August 2021.[2] Two months later, he was diagnosed with lymphoma.[2] In July 2023, he announced that he had been diagnosed with laryngeal cancer and would undergo six weeks of radiation therapy.[3]