Dick Vitale For The Hall Redux
Saturday, February 16, 2008
I went on a huge campaign last year for Dickie V to get into the hall, and it didn't work. I'm pretty sure it was just Bob Knight and myself that thought that he should have gotten in because most of you commenters seemed against it and the same with MSM. This goes down every year and every year he's denied from induction. Well he's up again and this year could make four years in a row....
Dick Vitale, in the midst of his 29th season as an ESPN college basketball analyst, has been named a finalist for induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor to the sport. The list of finalists for the Class of 2008 was announced Friday. Hall of Fame contributors are described as those who have made significant contributions to the game and its growth.It's another tough class for Vitale to be up against, but in the end he only needs support from 18 of the 24 voters. I still think his contributions to the Sport and all the work he's done with the V Foundation should be enough, but many seem to disagree. We'll see what happens in April. In the meantime ESPN has put together a handy PDF of things to consider when deciding on Vitale....
The inductees will be announced at the NCAA Men’s Final Four in San Antonio on Monday, April 7, with Enshrinement Ceremonies to be held at the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. September 5.
"It's absolutely always a thrill to learn that you've been nominated for the most prestigious honor in your profession - the National Basketball Hall of Fame,” Vitale said. “To be mentioned in the same breath with the likes of Patrick Ewing, Hakeem Olajuwon, Pat Riley and all the others that have been nominated just brings me great joy."
* He’s an outspoken advocate for the sport and as enthusiastic a promoter of basketball as there has ever been, unafraid to offer opinions and push for reform when appropriate.That's just the first paragraph of the four page document.
* He works dozens of the top games each season and votes on the Naismith and Wooden Awards, plus the AP poll.
* With Vitale enthusiastically leading the way, ESPN has become a college basketball fan’s best friend.
* He’s created a lexicon filled with phrases such as ‘Get a TO’ and ‘Awesome Baby’ which are now a part of the vernacular.
* He connects with fans through many mediums, providing insight for “SportsCenter,” ESPN Radio, USA Today, Basketball Times and his web site (http://espn.com/dickvitale). He’s also authored seven books.
* He’s played an integral role in building the concept of “March Madness.”
(Via ESPN PR)
17 Comments:
Out of all the coverage basketball gets and only 24 get to decide who goes in the HOF, not that I want Dookie V in there but it seems a little narrow.
Vitale absolutely should be in the HOF. He is the sport's biggest fan and greatest advocate.
Dick Vitale BLOWS. He is such a frickin annoying moron it is not even funny. He loves nothing more than to talk about himself and will surely do that with this nomination. There's a reason he hasn't gotten in yet, HE DOESN'T DESERVE IT, BABY!!!!!!!!
To clarify my earlier comments, I think Dickie V is worthy. I just resent ESPN framing the story as "Dick Vitale and a bunch of other guys are finalists for the Hall of Fame."
I consider Dick Vitale to be one of the most annoying people in the history of the world. Having said that I think it is an outrage that he has not been selected to the Basketball HOV. He absolutely deserves it.
< threadjack >
Gus Johnson calling the UNC-VT game proves that a crappy game will, in fact, make Gus as boring as everyone else out there.
< /threadjack >
I consider Dick Vitale to be one of the most annoying people in the history of the world. Having said that I think it is an outrage that he has not been selected to the Basketball HOV. He absolutely deserves it.
^^^what this guy said. I can't stand him, but few have done more for the popularity of college hoops than he has.
His schtick can be annoying to be sure. However, he is one of the best ambassadors for college basketball and does bring excitement to the call of any game. He is definitely a HOF'er, baby!
dudes a moron? yeah youve gotta know jack shit about basketball to be a coach in d1 ball and the nba. fucking jackass.
he may be irritating, but he knows basketball better than most announcers.
and cut the 'dookie v' crap. first, 'dook' isnt funny, second, he loves carolina just as much as he does duke
he should be in the hall
Something's wrong with an organization that won't induct Guy Lewis -- the man responsible for NCAA games on national TV, one of the first recruiters of black athletes into southern, white schools, and the man responsible for Elvin Hayes, Clyde Drexler, and Hakeem Olajuwan -- but yet keeps making an asshole like Dickie V. a finalist.
What a joke of a Hall of Fame.
ESPN listing Dick Vitale the notable candidates for the basketball hall of fame was like when they had Theisman and kept on listing him as the notables too. And like Theisman, no chance in hell.
There is not a more worthy "contributor" to the game in existence. If one has a problem that such a category exists, fair enough. But to deny the single greatest force the college game has known the past 25 years is to deny the game itself.
The fact he is a prince of a man and stands for the ideals of the game only adds to his credentials.
Personally, every time I see him on the television, I change channels. For every contribution he's made, I'm sure there are plenty of people he's turned off to the sport through his inane antics.
He certainly was on the right side of the Greenspan/Sampson issue last night and was quite vociferous about it.
Best part of this post...PROVES that Dook STILL has not just the ugliest cheerleaders in the ACC...but the ugliest CO-EDS period!!!!
"MAVERICK...WE'VE GOT BOGIES AT TEN AND TWO...BETTER DIVE FOR THE DECK MAN!!!!"
Hey look! It's Douchbag Smurf!!!
I love the way ESPN only mentions "notable" finalists, and Dick Vitale makes the list every time!
What exactly is the criteria that their people use to decide which 5 or 6 people they choose to tell us about are "notable?"