Vitale's Fabulous 50 Players & Moments in College Basketball

Dick Vitale

Description

For more than 30 years, Dick Vitale has been synonymous with the best in college basketball. His enthusiasm, knowledge, unique turn of a phrase and passion have set the bar for the best in hoops coverage. Dick Vitale has seen it all. For the college basketball fan, these are some of the touchstones of the sport. For years, fans have discussed the memorable players and magical moments. And, fan that he is, Dick Vitale also likes to talk about the game he loves. But, he is not your average fan. And there are experiences that are personally meaningful to him that he wants to share. From his wealth of experience sitting courtside at many pivotal moments in college basketball over the past three decades, Vitale gives us his reasons why he has chosen his top 50 players and moments-out of the many he has witnessed during his years of broadcasting at ESPN. Although he includes biographical and statistical data for each player and moment, as well as dynamic photographs. Vitale makes it clear that these are his personal choices. This is from his heart, naming the top 50 players and moments in the wonderful world of college hoops. It's Awesome, Baby!

Sujets

• Baloncesto
• Basketball
• Basket-ball

Informations

• Publié par: Ascend Books
• Date de parution: 31 mai 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780985631451
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 7 Mo

Extrait

Photo Courtesy of Dick Vitale.
By Dick Vitale Co-authored by Dick Weiss Foreword by Patrick Ewing

www.ascendbooks.com
©2012 by Dick Vitale and Dick Weiss.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted in writing from the publisher.
All names, logos, and symbols that appear in this book are trademarks of their individual organizations and institutions and have been reproduced with permission. This notice is for the protection of trademark rights only, and in no way represents the approval or disapproval of the text of this book by those organizations or institutions.
Photographs courtesy of AP Images, unless otherwise noted. Every reasonable attempt has been made to determine the ownership of copyright. Please notify the publisher of any erroneous credits or omissions, and corrections will be made to subsequent editions/future printings.
Requests for permission should be addressed to Ascend Books, LLC, Attn: Rights and Permissions Department.
Printed in China
ISBN-13: 978-0-9836952-4-0 (Pbk)
Originally published in hardcover ISBN 978-0-9817166-2-6
©2008 by Dick Vitale and Dick Weiss
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publications
Data Available Upon Request.
Editor: Laurie Bollig
Cover Design and Book Design: Lynette Ubel
Project Manager: Meggan Cowan
Dedications

I want to dedicate this book to all the beautiful people I’ve had the opportunity to work with at ESPN.
It starts up on top with our president, George Bodenheimer, and people in the executive office such as John Skipper and Norby Williamson. I can’t imagine where I would be without the aid of Jed Drake, David Miller and Dan Steir. They have all been an integral part of my career in broadcasting.
And I can’t forget to mention the guy who gave me my first big break in the business, Scotty Connal. Scotty came from NBC and was in charge of production, and, along with Chet Simmons, ESPN’s first president, started the ball rolling in the world of 24-hour sports on TV.
When I was asked to do my first college game for ESPN, I had no idea what would happen. The Detroit Pistons had just fired me on November 8, 1979, and I was desperately trying to get back into coaching college basketball. Little did I know that November 8, 1979, would be the turning point in my professional life.
Along the way, I’ve had a lot of help and support.
I can’t say enough about the play-by-play people with whom I have shared the booth. I’ve been blessed to sit next to broadcasting giants Jim Simpson, Keith Jackson and Brent Musburger. Currently, I am thrilled to work with ESPN stars like Mike Patrick, Dan Shulman and Brad Nessler. Also, on the sidelines and reporting at various game sites it has been fun working with Doris Burke and Erin Andrews. They are all first-class pros who have allowed me to be in my comfort zone, talking about a game I deeply love.
I have worked in the studio with brilliant hosts Bob Ley, John Saunders, Chris Fowler, Mike Tirico and Rece Davis. It’s also been fun trading comments with basketball analysts like the late Jimmy V – that’s right, Jimmy Valvano – Digger Phelps, Jay Bilas and, recently, the General, Robert Montgomery Knight.
I also want to thank all the people who make each television broadcast so special – all the sports anchors, the cameramen, the graphics operators, producers, directors and the many other people behind the scenes. Hey, I can’t forget radio baby, The Mike and Mike Show. These guys have been absolutely fantastic to me, as well as all of the people at ESPN.com . I am so grateful to our public relations office, specifically Mike Soltys and Josh Krulewitz, who have assisted me over the years.
One last thing: Where would I be without our research department, especially my guy, Howie Schwab, who has been so dedicated to helping me prepare for each broadcast?
To put it in Vitalese, if I were doing a game, I would simply say, “All these people are Awesome, baby, with a capital A.”
Dick Vitale
I ’d like to dedicate this book to my mother, Barbara Weiss; and to my wife, Joan Williamson, who has been a constant source of help and inspiration with just about every major project I have undertaken since we attended Temple University together, including editing my copy for the student newspaper.
Dick Weiss
Acknowledgements

A special note of thanks to my wife, Joan, who did the preliminary edits on this manuscript; Dick and Lorraine Vitale, who have always been so kind to Joan and me; and their daughters, Terri and Sherri; Patrick Ewing and Joel Glass of the Orlando Magic for writing the foreword; and our research expert, Howie Schwab.
I couldn’t have done this without Pat Plunkett, who supplied the players’ statistics and has the potential to become the second coming of the late, great Larry Donald; his wife, Trish, and their daughter, Mairead.
Dick Vitale and I owe a great deal of gratitude to Bob Snodgrass, Meggan Cowan, Kate Hegarty, and Laurie Bollig of Ascend Media, who made this project happen.
No list would be complete without mentioning Adam Berkowitz, Leon Carter, Teri Thompson, Delores Thompson, Bill Price, Eric Barrow, Jim Rich, Roger Rubin and the rest of the staff at the New York Daily News.
In addition, I’d like to mention Bob and Elaine Ryan, Kenny Denlinger, John Feinstein, Steve Richardson, John Akers and Nanci Donald of Basketball Times, Joe, Betty Ann, Tyler and Devon Cassidy, Mike Tranghese, Sam Albano, Jerry McLaughlin, Allen Rubin, Steve Miller from Fox Sports.com , Joe Timony, Rick Troncelliti, Frank Morgan, Mike Flynn, John Salvo, Robyn Norwood, Brian Morrison, Tom Healy, Dr. Dave Raezer, Mike Sheridan, Clark Francis, Joe Mitch, Howard Garfinkel, Larry Pearlstein, John Paquette, Al Featherston, David Pauley, Saul Frankel, Bill Brill and the staff at New Heights for the many enjoyable conversations we’ve had on college basketball over the years.
And, of course, The Guys.
Dick Weiss
Foreword
by PATRICK EWING

Photo Courtesy of Georgetown Sports Information.
E very now and then you get some news that causes you to pause, to stop and reflect.
Such was the case when I received the call from Dick Vitale telling me he had selected me number one on his list of the 50 greatest players he has covered over the last 30 years.
“Numero uno, Babeeee! Are you kidding me? Are YOU kidding me?!”
Yes, there’s a little Dickie V in all of us.
I am completely honored and feel privileged to be among this group. And to be selected number one left me momentarily speechless, as Dick has covered thousands of players.
I look back at my time at Georgetown with great fondness. It was a privilege to put on the Hoya uniform and play for and learn from legendary coach John Thompson. The foundation for my Hall of Fame career was set at Georgetown. I can’t tell you how many life lessons I was fortunate enough to experience.
I clearly remember the times Dick and ESPN broadcast our games. The energy, enthusiasm and passion he brought to the gym were certainly tangible. We all knew he was in the house, and we were all hoping we were going to be a PTPer or Diaper Dandy that night.
I am also proud to have joined Dick as part of the Class of 2008 elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
I’ve always admired what Dick has brought to this great game and how he has used his platform to promote college basketball and worthy causes far beyond the baseline.
Thank you, Dickie V. I am touched and I sincerely appreciate this accolade.
You are Awesome with a capital A.
Patrick Ewing
Introduction
by DICK VITALE

Photo Courtesy of Rich Arden, ESPN.
I can’t believe that over 50 years have passed since I became a big fan of college basketball. During that time, I was able to serve as a high school, college and NBA coach as well as a broadcaster for ESPN. My friends, I can honestly say, I have been living a dream!
It started when I was a teenager and I used to go to the old Madison Square Garden in New York City. I was all excited just to sit up in the third deck and watch all the superstars as they’d come through the Big Apple. That’s back when the NIT was big. It was back when I first laid eyes on the General – Robert Montgomery Knight – when he was in his early days, coaching at Army.
My love for the game has only gotten stronger over the years. I’ve been lucky enough to work as an analyst for ESPN, sitting courtside in the best seat in the house, over the last 30 years.
So when I got a call from Bob Snodgrass at Ascend Books, challenging me to select my fabulous 50 players and moments during my three decades on TV, I was absolutely thrilled.
The list starts in 1979, when I had the opportunity and the privilege to broadcast ESPN’s first-ever major college basketball game, between DePaul and Wisconsin, from Chicago. Little did I know at the time, ESPN would grow to be a giant in the sports world. I feel so proud to be a little spoke in the big wheel it has created.
Hey baby, let me get back to my world. Oh, this was fun. Remember, this is nothing more than my opinion. That’s right, just my views. It’s not etched in stone. I respect the opinion of any fan who may feel differently about my choices. Remember, this is purely subjective, baby. Purely subjective.
The following criteria were utilized in determining the players and moments selected:
 
1.   NBA careers were not a factor.
2.   Consistency as a collegiate superstar was vital.
3.   Ability to make teammates better was essential.
4.   Players that were one and done were not eligible for consideration under our standards.
5.   Players that were crucial in their team’s success were certainly taken into consideration.
 
Yes, basketball fans, I can’t wait to receive your feedback as to who would have been your choices fo