It was December 5, 1979. A little all-sports cable network with the strange four letters had begun operation. It was airing just a handful of sports like Australian Rules Football, professional softball and it was just beginning to air live college basketball games. Cable operators across the country were beginning to carry the channel and wondering if it would be successful.
The network hired a coach named Dick Vitale who had a successful stint at the University of Detroit and a very short stop with the NBA’s Detroit Pistons. Vitale didn’t know if broadcasting would work, but he gave it a try.
His first game would be DePaul vs. Wisconsin. His first play-by-play partner would be Joe Boyle. As you will see, Dick took all but about 15 seconds of the opening 2:25 segment. Boyle looked bewildered. This would begin a run of 35 years at ESPN that is continuing today.
To celebrate, ESPN put together this tribute video with 35 of the network’s personalities giving their best Dickie V impressions to honor his 35 years with the network. Who knew Brad Nessler and Jay Bilas would have him down pat? I think we all did.
Congrats to Dick Vitale on 35 years. You may think Vitale is annoying and is too Duke-centric, but there’s no denying his enthusiasm for college basketball and his energy at age 74 which is very awesome with a capital A.
