Dick Vitale

Guide Note: Dick Vitale is a former college and NBA basketball coach turned radio and television commentator for ESPN and ABC Sports. Widely regarded for his colorful personality and enthusiastic style, Vitale commonly finishes sentences with "baby!"

Prior to coaching, Vitale attended Seton Hall University. He took his first coaching job at Garfield High School in New Jersey. The following year he coached at East Rutherford High School, where he previously attended, leading them to two championships over seven years.

After two seasons of assistant coaching at Rutgers University, Vitale became the head coach of the men's basketball team at the University of Detroit. In 1977, after leading the Detroit Titans to the NCAA tournament, he was named the school's athletic director.

Vitale was then named the head coach of the Detroit Pistons. He coached for the 1978-1979 season, then was fired just 12 games into the 1979-1980 season.

Immediately after leaving the Pistons, Vitale took a broadcasting job with ESPN. In 1979 Vitals alongside sportscaster Jim Simpson, called the first ever broadcast of a college basketball game on ESPN. Vitale has since announced over 1000 games. He has also written several books and is a motivational speaker in his off time from broadcasting.

Vitale was nominated for the 2007 class of the Basketball Hall of Fame, but was not selected. He was however inducted into the Hall on April 7, 2008, alongside Patrick Ewing and Hakeem Olajuwon. Fast Facts:

1. Full name: Richard J. Vitale
2. Born: June 9, 1939
3. Birthplace: Passaic, New Jersey
4. Resides: Tampa, Florida
5. Nickname(s): Dickie V, Mr.College Basketball, Cyclops
6. Member of advisory board for the Harlem Globetrotters
7. Board of Directors of The V Foundation
8. Season ticket holder for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays of Major League Baseball
9. Blind in his left eye
10. Well-known for adding the word "baby" to the end of his sentences while announcing
11. Has called over 1,000 college basketball games since 1979
12. Guest-starred on The Cosby Show as a furniture mover