Dickie V, aka Richard John Vitale, was born on June 9, 1939 (Age: 85 years old), in Passaic, New Jersey. Known for his lively basketball commentary on ESPN, he’s more than just a sportscaster.
Dickie V coached both in college and professionally before his 41-year run with ESPN. His catchy phrases like “This is awesome, baby!” and “diaper dandy” (for standout freshmen) make him a fan favorite.
Beyond the court, he’s penned fourteen books and made appearances in films, proving he’s a slam dunk in and out of the broadcasting booth. For further details about his Net Worth, Age, Salary, Health, Wiki, Height, Career you can explore Dick Vitale’s Wiki.
Dick Vitale Wiki & Early Life
Full Name | Richard John Vitale |
Nick Name | Dickie V |
Profession | Sportscaster and Sports Commentator |
Age | 85 years old |
Date of Birth | 9 June 1939 |
Nationality | American |
Zodiac/Sun Sign | Gemini |
Birthplace | Passaic, New Jersey, United States |
Current Address | Yet To Update |
Dick Vitale’s Wife, Girlfriend and Relationship
Relationship Status | Married |
Dick Vitale Family
Dickie V, or Richard John Vitale, grew up in Garfield, New Jersey, and later moved to East Paterson (now Elmwood Park) when he started high school. His dad, John, worked with clothes and also had a job as a security guard. Dickie V’s mom, Mae, worked in a factory sewing coats until she had a stroke. Their story shows hard work and overcoming challenges.
Parent’s Name | Father: John Vitale Mother: Mae Vitale |
Siblings | Brother: John Vitale |
Wife/Girlfriend | Wife: Lorraine McGrath |
Children | Daughter: Terri Vitale, Sherri Vitale |
Education
Dickie V, a proud graduate of East Rutherford High School in 1958, embarked on his educational journey at Seton Hall University. Breaking ground as the first in his family to attend college, he earned a degree in business administration in 1962.
Undeterred by challenges, Vitale continued his pursuit of knowledge, later obtaining a master’s degree in education from William Paterson University, formerly known as Paterson State College. His academic achievements stand testament to his determination and the importance he places on education.
School | East Rutherford High School |
Alma Mater | Seton Hall University, William Paterson University |
Highest Qualification | Graduated in Business Administration, Master Degree |
Career
High School Coaching
Dickie V started coaching in 1958 at a school in Garfield, New Jersey. He moved up, becoming head coach at Garfield High School and later at East Rutherford High School. His teams won two state championships.
College Coaching
In 1971, he joined Rutgers University as an assistant coach. Then, in 1973, he became the head coach at the University of Detroit. His team made it to the NCAA tournament in 1977. After coaching, he became the athletic director at Detroit.
NBA Coaching
In 1978, Dickie V became the head coach of the Detroit Pistons. But, in 1979, he left after a tough start to the season.
Broadcasting Fame
After coaching, Dickie V found success on TV. He joined ESPN in 1979, covering college basketball. Later, he worked with ABC, covering both college and NBA games. People loved his energetic commentary.
Broadcasting Buddies
Dickie V worked with many announcers like Mike Patrick and Dan Shulman. His excited way of talking became famous in college basketball.
Awards and More
For all his work, Dickie V got into the Hall of Fame and won a lifetime achievement award in 2019. In 2011, Detroit named their court after him. He got the 2022 Jimmy V Award too.
Other Cool Stuff
Apart from sports, Dickie V was in video games, wrote a book, and even did ads for products. He also showed up in movies like “The Naked Gun” and “Blue Chips.”
His Story in Simple Words
Dick Vitale’s journey is a mix of coaching, talking on TV, and doing cool stuff beyond. People love his energy and how he made a mark in basketball and beyond.
Health Issue
In August 2021, Dickie V shared he had melanoma, a type of skin cancer. Then, in October, he told us about lymphoma, a blood cancer. December 2021 brought more challenges with pre-cancerous stuff on his vocal cords, and he lost his voice for four months after surgeries. The good news came in August 2022 when he said he was “cancer-free.” Sadly, in July 2023, he faced laryngeal cancer and planned six weeks of radiation therapy. His journey shows he’s a fighter against health challenges.
Dick Vitale Net Worth, Salary
Net Worth in Dollars (Approx.) | $20 Million |
Salary Annually (Approx.) | $3 Million |
Also Read: Kirk Herbstreit Net Worth, Wife, Age, Salary, Biography, Son, Height
Dick Vitale Height
Height | In centimeters: 175 cm In meters: 1.75 m In Feet: 5.9 Feet |
Weight | 77 kgs 169 lbs |
Dick Vitale Twitter, Instagram, Facebook
@DickieV | |
@dickiev_espn | |
@therealdickvitale | |
YouTube | @therealdickvitale |
10 Interesting Facts About Dick Vitale
- Dick Vitale, born June 9, 1939 (85 years old), is a famous American basketball sportscaster.
- Known for his ESPN tenure, catchphrases, and coaching career.
- Raised in Garfield, NJ, he coached high school and college teams.
- Coached Detroit Pistons briefly in the NBA.
- Broadcasting success followed his coaching journey.
- University of Detroit named their court after him.
- Vitale featured in video games, wrote books, and appeared in films.
- Honored in various Halls of Fame.
- Battled cancer and returned to broadcasting.
- Married to Lorraine with two daughters and five grandchildren.
FAQs
Right now is fit and fine.
His net worth is $20 Million.
He is a 85 years old.
He is announced that he beat his disease (In 2021) after several surgeries.