Who is Dick Vitale?

Dick Vitale is a well-known commercial actor who is also an esteemed basketball analyst and a former head coach. Born on June 9th, 1939 in Passaic, New Jersey, Vitale has had a long and successful career in both coaching and broadcasting before turning to commercial acting.

He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Seton Hall University where he played college basketball for the Seton Hall Pirates in the early 1960s. After college, he spent some time coaching in high school before moving on to bigger responsibilities in collegiate basketball.

Over the course of his career, Vitale worked as an assistant coach for Rutgers University, the University of Detroit, and the NBA's Detroit Pistons. He was later hired by the University of Detroit to lead the Titans' men's basketball program. Vitale spent four seasons at the helm of Detroit's program, and his results were impressive, culminating in a 21-7 record during the 1976-77 season.

Later in his life, Vitale made the transition to broadcasting, where he found even greater success. He has worked as a basketball color analyst for ABC Sports, ESPN, and CBS Sports, calling dozens of NCAA basketball games each year. It was during these broadcasts that Vitale developed his trademark catchphrases and effusive style that made him a beloved commentator.

Vitale has also been featured in numerous national commercials for various products and services. His energetic, larger-than-life personality and his connection to athletics make him a natural choice for commercial endorsements. He is particularly well-known for his appearances in commercials for ESPN, where he hypes upcoming sports events.

Dick Vitale's career has spanned more than five decades, and he has remained a major figure in the basketball world as well as in popular culture. With his infectious personality, boundless energy, and passionate love of the game, he has become an iconic figure in sports media and advertising alike.