NCAA: It's All About Dickie V., Baby!

By Rick Reighard Sports Central Columnist

I have always wondered the reason why college basketball is more liked than NBA ball, and I think I found the reason.

At first, I thought people were tired of seeing high-priced players, and enjoyed seeing players who played for the simple enjoyment of playing. Then, I figured that it was probably the excitement of the single elimination style play of the NCAA tournament, where every game could be your final game. Maybe it is the rivalries, honestly, what NBA game could match the excitement of seeing Duke and North Carolina play each other? But then, I found the real reason, and that reason's name is Dick Vitale.

Dick Vitale is the reason, at least for me, why I will watch any college basketball game over an NBA game any day. He is the greatest ambassador, for the greatest sport in the world. He brings a level of excitement and chaos to any game he announces, and that makes the enjoyment of watching the games that much better when Dickie V. is behind the microphone. When you think of college basketball you probably think of important tournament games, loud, excited fans, and last second game-winning shots. And then you think of Dick Vitale's loud, enthusiastic voice, saying one of his patented phrases, such as "Awesome baby!" "Diaper Dandy," "Rolls Roycer" or "Maalox time."

If you love college basketball, you love Dick Vitale.

Dick Vitale was born on 1939 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. I am not exactly sure what his first words were, but I am guessing the were somewhere along the lines of "Look at me, I'm talking, baby!"

Dick was a successful coach for the University of Detroit, where his record as a coach was 78-30. During the 1979-80 season, after his coaching career ended, he joined ESPN. Vitale called ESPN's first college basketball game ever on December 5, 1979. Since then, he has done almost 1,000 games and has become a legend to college basketball fans nationwide.

Unlike Rodney Dangerfield, Dick Vitale gets respect. Even though he can be comical, his insights into the game are taken seriously. Like Dangerfield, however, he has appeared in several movies. He has also written six books, and is a constant contributor to ESPN The Magazine.

You will also see Vitale outside of the sport's world. He is on the board of directors for the V Foundation, an organization set up to find a cure for cancer. He also contributes to the Boys and Girl's Club by giving away five college scholarships a year.

Dick Vitale is clearly the edge college basketball has over the NBA. He has entertained people for over twenty years with his exciting style of calling games, and will continue to entertain people for years to come. Dick Vitale lives off college basketball, and college basketball lives off Dick Vitale.

Article courtesy of Sports Central