Dick Vitale Inducted into Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame, Celebrating His College Basketball Contributions

Dick Vitale has been the face of college basketball – and the sport’s most passionate voice – since he joined ESPN 45 years ago for the 1979-80 season. Having already earned induction into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and the National Sportscasters Hall of Fame, Vitale received yet another prestigious honor Thursday night in New York – induction into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame.

Vitale was one of a handful of pioneers, innovators, and media stars who were honored at the black-tie industry event held at the Ziegfield Ballroom. Other luminaries representing The Walt Disney Company included Good Morning America co-anchor George Stephanopoulos of ABC News and Debra Oconnell, President of News Group and Networks for Disney Entertainment Television. ESPN play-by-play voice and SportsCenter anchor Brian Custer also helped emcee the event.

(L-R) Rosetta Ellis-Pilie; Josh Krulewitz; Mike Soltys; Kevin Negandhi; Vitale; David Ceisler (Josh Krulewitz/ESPN)

Vitale shares the podium with SportsCenter anchor and event co-emcee Brian Custer. (Josh Krulewitz/ESPN)

SportsCenter anchor Kevin Negandhi served as one of the emcees. (Josh Krulewitz/ESPN)

Vitale addresses the Ziegfeld Ballroom audience. (Josh Krulewitz/ESPN)

In addition to the coveted Hall of Fame honor, Vitale received B&C’s Humanitarian Award for his tireless work raising awareness and funds to help find a cure for cancer. Earlier this year, Vitale’s 19th annual Gala raised a record-setting $24.8 million – more than double the previous high achieved last year, and over two decades, he has raised nearly $93 million for The V Foundation in support of pediatric cancer research.

SportsCenter anchor Kevin Negandhi, who has been part of many of those Gala events, introduced Vitale at the B&C Hall of Fame.

The video tribute to Vitale above – featuring ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro and former ESPN President George Bodenheimer – was played during the ceremony, which multiple ESPN executives attended.

As special as Thursday night was for Vitale, the past week featured an even more notable personal milestone. Last Friday, Vitale completed his 30th and final radiation treatment for a cancerous lymph node in his neck.

Despite battling a variety of health challenges the past three years, Vitale has maintained his unshakable positive attitude and generous spirit with the goal of returning to ESPN college basketball games during the upcoming season.

As Vitale would say, this would be “Awesome, baby!”

Live Star Entertainment produced the video