I like Dick Vitale. I know many do not like him. He's loud. He's obnoxious. He's pro-Duke, pro Coach K. He's bald (that's not really so bad!). What I saw Monday night in Lawrence, prior to the Baylor-Kansas game was amazing. I am talking about the stuff that did not happen on camera.
Monday night, the old man really "worked the room". He would say hello to everyone who said hi. Took pictures with all kinds of people, signed lots of autographs. The only thing that stopped him was arena security that was worried about people being able to pass through the aisle. He hammed it up with the students. And he did it all with a smile. I saw a man who truly loved being there. He was not there just to do a job. Mr. Vitale is in his 70's. Yet he brings the enthusiasm of teenager to his job. I am sure he's seen it all before. You would think this is routine for him, just another night, another arena, another job, another game to get through, then onto the next game, the next arena. I saw a kid at heart, like someone who was seeing his first game ever at historic Allen Fieldhouse.
Dick Vitale put ESPN on the map. Not just the college basketball map. The map. He gave ESPN a presence in college basketball, long before ESPN ever broadcast NFL games, major league baseball games, college football games, long before ESPN had any star personalities. The man simply put ESPN in the "majors" through his sheer force of personality. He's earned his accolades. He can rest on his laurels. But he does not. I can only hope I bring the same enthusiasm to life and to my job when I am his age. The world will be a much better place if we all did that.
I know there is plenty to criticize about Dick Vitale. But I am a fan.
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