Duke's Biggest Fan is Back (Not Back)

[lakercat]

Dukie V is coming back to call games, and yes, his first game is a Duke game. He's 85 years old this year, time to put him out to pasture.

Duke Fan is Back

Edit: Vitale had an accident at home, so he will not be back next week as originally thought. I don't really dislike Vitale, but I just find it funny that his first game was going to be a Duke game. I actually respect the guy.

 

[JimboBBN]

He’s beaten cancer four times. Happy he’s back and hope he calls one of our games this season. Great job, Dickie V

 

[Catman100]

I give him a free pass. May be a Dookie but he always seemed fair to UK.
Will always think he was great for college ball.

 

[EliteBlue]

He should
Do the rest of this season as a victory lap for being. Cancer free and then retire

 

[will1976]

Long live Dickie V!

 

[true blue1]

Good to hear!

 

[jr40831]

 

[chroix]

If you’re lucky you live a fraction of the life he has. Dodged a massive bullet. Ride off into the sunset after an amazing career. Good for him.

 

[Fox2monk]

He’s beaten cancer four times. Happy he’s back and hope he calls one of our games this season. Great job, Dickie V

Amen, basketball isn’t the same without him. I can see how some wouldn’t like his shtick after a while, but he loves his job and college ball. He’s been the voice of it forever. I’m glad he’s back and healthy.

 

[MachineHead1]

Totally unnecessary vibe to this post. He’s a cancer survivor coming back to do thing he loves.

 

[king of cali]

This thread is definitely not going the way the op thought it would lol.

Welcome back Dickie V

 

[crestcat]

I give him a free pass. May be a Dookie but he always seemed fair to UK.
Will always think he was great for college ball.

Sometimes he was fair to UK.

 

[ukcatz12]

Dickie V can do whatever he wants as far as I'm concerned. He's beaten cancer himself however many times, has been one of the leading voices for the V Foundation and has helped raise millions of dollars for cancer research, and played a big part in college basketball becoming so popular on ESPN as the network was just starting.

He's past his prime on the mic now, but when he was at his peak there was no one you'd rather have call your games. His excitement was infectious, he genuinely loves the game, and he's made the college basketball world better. I hope he hangs it up before it turns into a Corso situation where everyone kind of feels sorry for him, but he's earned the right to do this as long as he wants to.

 

[ukcatz12]

I give him a free pass. May be a Dookie but he always seemed fair to UK.
Will always think he was great for college ball.

Is a Duke guy or did he just have a really close relationship with Coach K, and that seeped into his commentary? Didn't Coach K and Dickie V walk Valvano up to the stage for his famous ESPY speech? And Coach K has been really involved with the V Foundation since it was founded. I kind of think this was just Dickie V just sticking up for a really good friend a bit.

 

[rick64]

Great news his health has improved!

 

[crestcat]

If only he would talk about the game you’re watching……

 

[catman15]

Dickie V is Awesome with a capital A. I don't care if he announces again or not but he's the most memorable voice in college basketball to me forever. Him in the EA college games was always great to me growing up. I'd almost buy it again for the nostalgia

 

[shaudyshaud]

I didn’t even realize he was pro duke . He just seemed to be excited in general .

Welcome back Dickie V

 

[gbl97]

I didn’t even realize he was pro duke .

You must be young, my friend.

 

[shaudyshaud]

You must be young, my friend.

36. I just never associated him with Duke but I will admit a lot of times I don’t listen to the broadcast . I’ll watch a game with music playing and the TV on mute lol

 

[Bkocats]

I actually like Dickie V
Got the opportunity to meet him many years ago and he was one of the nicest, sweetest, gentlemen I’ve ever met. A little on the quiet side really. But he didn’t make anyone feel like they were wasting his time..he spoke with us a good 10 minutes before apologizing that he had to get going
We were at Rupp and this was about an hour and a half before game time

 

[LineSkiCat14]

But does he love Duke more than you love Steph Curry?

 

[Basscat1987]

Dukie V is coming back to call games, and yes, his first game is a Duke game. He's 85 years old this year, time to put him out to pasture.

Duke Fan is Back

Damn what a prick u are

 

[B.B.H.]

. I’ve been really looking forward to the next time Dickie V calls a UK game and really hoping we win. It just feels special with him on the call, and no matter how you slice it there probably aren’t a ton of Dickie V games left 🥹

 

[Blueheart32]

Dickie V can do whatever he wants as far as I'm concerned. He's beaten cancer himself however many times, has been one of the leading voices for the V Foundation and has helped raise millions of dollars for cancer research, and played a big part in college basketball becoming so popular on ESPN as the network was just starting.

He's past his prime on the mic now, but when he was at his peak there was no one you'd rather have call your games. His excitement was infectious, he genuinely loves the game, and he's made the college basketball world better. I hope he hangs it up before it turns into a Corso situation where everyone kind of feels sorry for him, but he's earned the right to do this as long as he wants to.

Excellent post

 

[Blueheart32]

I didn’t even realize he was pro duke . He just seemed to be excited in general .

Welcome back Dickie V

I have heard him sing the praises of Duke, Ky, unc, Kansas and many other teams when he is calling their games. I believe he just loves basketball. There isnt another announcer I would rather hear call games.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

But does he love Duke more than you love Steph Curry?

He posted this while hiding n the bushes outside Currys mansion.

 

[FiveStarCat]

I’ve never understood the Dickie B hate. You don’t go to a guy like that for deep insights on the game. You go to him because he has unmatched passion for the sport… if anyone can appreciate that it should be BBN

 

[catzfanjim]

I like Dickie V and I’m glad he’s coming back. I talked with him at spring training years ago and he had nothing but positive things to say about Kentucky.

 

[NociHTTP]

His last words:

"how old is Cooper?"

 

[irishcat1965]

What an odd post by the OP. And in poor taste. Vitale has fought cancer numerous times and has helped raise millions for cancer research. As far as I concerned, he should be welcomed back to the microphone.

 

[podgejeff_]

I'm glad he's beaten cancer again. He's a great person by all accounts and deserves nothing but good things.

I just can't stand hearing him announcing games. I believe his love for college basketball is as genuine as it gets, but I just don't want to hear him say every thought that enters his head for two hours nonstop.

 

[JPFisher]

He’s beaten cancer four times. Happy he’s back and hope he calls one of our games this season. Great job, Dickie V

He's certainly taken his buddy Jimmy Valvano's words to heart.

"Don't give up. Don't ever give up."

Damn shame that that advice has had to be utilized four times.

Dickie V may be a duke homer, but he's a good dude and has always had glowing reviews about Kentucky and its diaper dandies. Happy to give him a pass even though he was outspoken against how fans treated Cal and Tubby.

 

[CastleRubric]

Come see us in Lexington, Coach V!

We may be short on diaper dandies this year - but we got your All Marco Polo team, babyyyee!!

 

[Edgarman]

Is a Duke guy or did he just have a really close relationship with Coach K, and that seeped into his commentary? Didn't Coach K and Dickie V walk Valvano up to the stage for his famous ESPY speech? And Coach K has been really involved with the V Foundation since it was founded. I kind of think this was just Dickie V just sticking up for a really good friend a bit.

Dickie V is actually a Notre Dame fan. That is when his kids went. I always felt like he had 4 or 5 favorite coaches, not teams that he was more than fair with. Kansas, Duke, UNC, TN (Barnes), and us (Cal). He has earned every thing he wants to do in college basketball.
A true legend of the game.

 

[CastleRubric]

I think Vitale would LOVE to talk about Coach Pope -- he'd enthusiastically appreciate the transformation job CP did

 

[AshWilliams]

Dukie V is coming back to call games, and yes, his first game is a Duke game. He's 85 years old this year, time to put him out to pasture.

Duke Fan is Back

Listen, say what you want about the guy, but he's a humble, regular guy. Every time I've ever tweeted him he's responded. He's a true fan's fan.

 

[Pygmy Sasquatch]

He's insufferable at times, but I'm happy he is holding cancer at bay. **** cancer.

 

[JFCats22]

Dukie V is coming back to call games, and yes, his first game is a Duke game. He's 85 years old this year, time to put him out to pasture.

Duke Fan is Back

Haha…pretty sure you thought this thread would go a little different

 

[Sejonesy]

Dukie V is coming back to call games, and yes, his first game is a Duke game. He's 85 years old this year, time to put him out to pasture.

Duke Fan is Back

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