Vitale returns to public stage
College basketball’s larger-than-life presence recognized by SEC
TAMPA, Fla. — That was awesome, baby!
College basketball icon Dick Vitale made an appearance at the Southeastern Conference tournament Saturday, getting recognized for his contributions to the sport, the league and his fight against cancer.
Vitale, who lives about an hour south of Tampa in Sarasota, was presented a basketball signed by the SEC’s 14 coaches before the first of two semifinal games at Amalie Arena. Vitale walked into the venue amid a standing ovation — and shouts of “Dickie V!” — and accepted the autographed ball from league commissioner Greg Sankey at midcourt. He made a brief stop at ESPN’s broadcast seats, the spot he held for decades before stepping back for health reasons.
Vitale, 82, has been public about his treatment for assorted medical issues, including at least two forms of cancer.
He hadn’t made an in-person appearance at a college basketball game since calling reigning national champion Baylor’s 57-36 victory against Villanova in mid-December. Shortly thereafter, doctors put himon voice rest upon discovering precancerous dysplasia on his vocal cords that required surgery.
Vitale said in the fall he had been diagnosed with lymphoma, months after multiple surgeries to remove melanoma. He has chronicled his treatments and recovery on social media, posting photos of doctor visits and hospital stays while issuing motivational tips recorded before he was put on voice rest.
Vitale has been with ESPN since 1979, the year the network launched.
LSU coach out amid probe
LSU fired coach Will Wade for cause amid “serious” allegations of NCAA violations, a day after LSU was eliminated fromthe SEC tournament.
“For more than four years, the University has patiently allowed the NCAA investigative process to unfold, jointly working with the NCAA Enforcement Staff and, subsequently, with the Complex Case Unit (CCU), to ensure the evidence collected was as thorough and fair as possible,” said a statement signed by university President William F. Tate and athletic director Scott Woodward. “Throughout that time, the University and its men’s basketball program have operated under an exhausting shroud of negativity.”
Wade did not return a message seeking comment. The allegations against him stem froman FBI investigation into corrupt practices in college basketball that has implicated programs including Arizona, Kansas, Louisville, Oklahoma State, N.C. State and Auburn.
Theuniversity also fired associate head coach Bill Armstrong and named assistant coach Kevin Nickelberry as interim head coach. LSU went 22-11 and appears likely to receive a bid to the NCAA tournament.
Suspicions of wrongdoing have followed Wade since 2019 reports about leaked excerpts of an FBI wiretap that captured Wade speaking with a person convicted of funneling illegal payments to the families of recruits.
In transcripts of the phone call, Wade discussed presenting a “strong” offer to an apparent third party who represented then-LSU player Javonte Smart.