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Ascend Books - Dick Vitale

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221 pages

English

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It's hard to believe, but Dick Vitale, ESPN's perennially youthful basketball analyst, is 75.From his blue-collar roots in New Jersey, his first college coaching job at Rutgers, his ultimate dream job with the Pistons (where he got the Ziggy!), to his 35 years at ESPN as a "Prime-time Performer." This is Vitale as you've never seen him, an inside look at America's favorite basketball fan.Learn the secret of his longevity in the fast-changing world of TV. More than the personal memories, "Dickie V" provides the die-hard hoops fan with his outspoken opinions on a range of topics including: the most intriguing coaches, players, and owners in the sport; the growth of "one-and-dones" leaving for the NBA draft; the increase in player transfers; out-of-control fan behavior; recruiting top notch players; and the changing landscape of college sports following conference realignment.You'll get to know 75 years worth of history, facts, and opinions, as well as his thoughts on family, the game of basketball, and his passionate fight against childhood cancer.This book will give you new insights into Dick Vitale, both the sportscaster and the humanitarian.

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Publié par	Ascend Books
Date de parution	15 novembre 2014
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9780990437543
Langue	English
Poids de l'ouvrage	2 Mo

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IT’S AWESOME,
Baby!
75 Years of Memories
and a Lifetime of opinions on the Game I Love

WWW.ASCENDBOOKS.COM
Dick
Vitale
With Dick Weiss and Joan Williamson
“Dick Vitale is one of the great ambassadors we have in college basketball. In It’s Awesome, Baby! , Dick brings us along on the ride that has taken him to the top of his profession. Dickie V’s enthusiasm and passion continue to inspire me, coaches, and college basketball fans from coast to coast.”
— Villanova coach Jay Wright
“Most people know Dick Vitale for his unmatched passion for basketball. And while that is certainly remarkable, what truly impresses me is his passion for life and for helping other people. It’s a lesson that should serve as an inspiration to us all.”
— Michigan State coach Tom Izzo
“For more than 35 years, Hall of Famer Dick Vitale has been a primary voice in college basketball and a true friend to the sport. His latest book is a must-read for all basketball fans.”
— Duke Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski
“There is no better ambassador for the game of basketball than Dick Vitale. His enthusiasm for the sport and the people in it is unmatched, but it doesn’t stop there with Dick. He has championed a fight and used his platform like none other in helping to raise millions in the fight against cancer. He is a true PTPer for the game and in life.”
— Kentucky coach John Calipari
“There has not been a better ambassador for college basketball over the last 35 years than Dick Vitale. He’s unique because he’s been able to take his vast basketball knowledge, being a coach, to the public in a way nobody ever has before. Dick has also used his platform and popularity to do what is most dear to him—to raise money to fight cancer through the V Foundation. It’s remarkable what he has accomplished professionally and personally in his lifetime.”
— Kansas coach Bill Self
“From a coaching perspective, I have always appreciated what Dick Vitale has given back to the game. I have always respected what he has given to the community through his work for cancer research. This book tells his whole story.”
— Florida coach Billy Donovan
“In the over 40 years I’ve known Dick as a high school, college, and professional coach and announcer, I’ve never seen anyone sustain the passion, enthusiasm, and drive for the game of basketball that he has. He is truly a modern day inspiration.”
— Louisville Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino
“No single individual has done more to spread the good word about college basketball than Dick Vitale. Any fan would love to read about the sport’s many exciting personalities and events over the years as seen through his eyes.”
— Syracuse Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim
“An event is bigger, better, and most importantly, much more fun when Dickie V is involved. He’s a joy to be around and his love for the game of basketball is infectious. He’s forgotten more basketball than most people will ever know and is as genuine, passionate, exuberant, and thoughtful a human being as you will ever meet. Very few people have done more for college basketball than Dickie V.”
— UCLA coach Steve Alford
Copyright © 2014 by Dick Vitale
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.
Requests for permission should be addressed to: Ascend Books, LLC, Attn: Rights and Permissions Department, 12710 Pflumm Road, Suite 200, Olathe, KS 66062
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
ISBN: print book 978-0-9904375-3-6
ISBN: e-book 978-0-9904375-4-3
Library of Congress Control Number: 2014951600
Publisher: Bob Snodgrass
Editors: Mark Stallard and Claire Reagan
Publication Coordinator: Christine Drummond
Sales and Marketing: Lenny Cohen and Dylan Tucker
Publicity: Bob Ibach
Dust Jacket and Book Design: Rob Peters
All photos courtesy of Dick Vitale unless otherwise indicated
Front Cover and Larger Back Cover Photo courtesy of Kristine Foley Photography
Back Cover Photos courtesy ESPN and Dick Vitale
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.
The goal of Ascend Books is to publish quality works. With that goal in mind, we are proud to offer this book to our readers. Please note, however, that the story, experiences, and the words are those of the authors alone.
Printed in the United States of America
Visit www.ascendbooks.com for more great titles on your favorite teams, coaches, athletes, and celebrities.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword by Magic Johnson
Introduction
Life Changing Events
Chapter 1 The Call from the Hall
Chapter 2 An Audience with the Pope
Chapter 3 Oval Office Roundball
Chapter 4 Waking Up the Echoes
Chapter 5 You Can Go Home Again, Baby
Chapter 6 A Dallas Cowboy
My Journey
Chapter 7 A Jersey Guy
Chapter 8 My Story
Chapter 9 Making the Right Choice
Chapter 10 First Steps
Chapter 11 Sweet Lorraine
Chapter 12 Lost Potential
Chapter 13 Pilgrimage to the Poconos
Chapter 14 Putting Rutgers on the Map
Chapter 15 Motor City Madness
Chapter 16 Taking a Wrong Turn
Chapter 17 A New Opportunity
Chapter 18 Michael
Chapter 19 Terri and Sherri
Chapter 20 Growing Up with ESPN
Chapter 21 Building My Brand
Chapter 22 Late Night Entertainment
Chapter 23 Going to the Movies
Chapter 24 Growing Our Family
Chapter 25 Saving My Voice
Chapter 26 Celebrity Watching
Passions
Chapter 27 Take Me Out to the Ball Game
Chapter 28 Music
Chapter 29 At the Starting Gate
Chapter 30 Cars, Racing, and Racers
Chapter 31 Here a Tweet, There a Tweet
The Most Intriguing Personalities
Chapter 32 Could This Be Magic?
Chapter 33 The General
Chapter 34 LeBron, 12 Years Later
Chapter 35 Coach K
Chapter 36 John Calipari
Chapter 37 Jimmy V
History Lessons
Chapter 38 Dynasties
Chapter 39 The NCAA Tournament’s Defining Moment
Chapter 40 My Most Memorable NCAA Championship Game
Chapter 41 The Greatest College Rivalry
Chapter 42 Kevin Ollie and UConn’s Big Surprise
State of the Game
Chapter 43 One and Done
Chapter 44 Shabazz Napier Makes a Statement On and Off the Court
Chapter 45 Doug McDermott and the Seniors Who Stayed
Chapter 46 Coaching Stress
Chapter 47 Influx of Foreign Players
Chapter 48 Marcus Smart and the Loss of Civility
Chapter 49 Second Chances
Chapter 50 Transfer Mania
Chapter 51 Leticia Romero
Chapter 52 Changing the Rules
Chapter 53 Is Realignment Good for the Game?
Chapter 54 Requiem for a Heavyweight
Chapter 55 The Big Ten Drought
Chapter 56 Breakout of the Mid-Majors
Chapter 57 Is UCLA Still an Elite Program?
Chapter 58 Rising Coaching Stars
Chapter 59 Gary Williams and Nolan Richardson: Naismith Class of 2014
Chapter 60 Future Hall of Famers
Chapter 61 Senior Citizens Thriving
Chapter 62 Court Storming
Chapter 63 Is Recruiting Better or Worse?
Chapter 64 Raising the Academic bar
Chapter 65 Division IV
Chapter 66 Pop and the Spurs
Chapter 67 Kevin Durant’s Tribute to His Mother
Chapter 68 The Instability of NBA Coaching Jobs
Chapter 69 The NBA Draft Gamble
Chapter 70 Say Goodbye to Donald Sterling
Giving Back
Chapter 71 Birth of a Gala
Chapter 72 Boys & Girls Clubs
Chapter 73 Princess Lacey
Chapter 74 The 2014 Gala
Chapter 75 Moving Forward
Epilogue
Acknowledgements
About the Authors
S o many people have helped me fulfill my dreams along the path of my life, and I know how lucky I am. From the institutions who hired me as their basketball coach to all of my fantastic colleagues at ESPN, to my friends, great fans, and especially my beautiful wife, daughters, and grandkids—this book is for you. Thanks for putting the “Awesome” into my life.
— Dick Vitale
F or Howie Schwab, a good friend and an encyclopedia of sports knowledge who is an MVP in his profession.
— Dick Weiss
F or Marge.
— Joan Williamson
FOREWORD
BY MAGIC JOHNSON
I remember first meeting Dick Vitale when I was in high school. He was recruiting me to the University of Detroit. He told me I could own the Motor City if I played for the Titans. Sorry, Dickie V, I became a Spartan…and the rest is history!
Dick has always had so much enthusiasm and energy. Now, he is showing his passion in his new book, It’s Awesome, Baby! 75 Years of Memories and a Lifetime of Opinions on the Game I Love . This book chronicles his rise from schoolteacher to coaching in the NBA. He tackles a number of controversial topics on the sport he loves, college basketball.
Dick also gets into why he is so passionate about the battle against cancer. I’ve seen firsthand during one of his galas how he carries that energy into his efforts to raise money for cancer research. It was a touching event for a very special cause. He is one of the most enthusiastic people I know.
Dick Vitale is a great friend and someone who I respect and admire. This book is a special look at his full and remarkable life.
—Magic Johnson

Photo Courtesy of Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY
Magic Johnson, all smiles as usual .
INTRODUCTION
S o I hit this milestone, this “magic” number of life. And I’ve thought about it, maybe too much.
My life.
The ups and downs, the highs and lows, the gifts I’ve received, the things I’ve lost, friends I love, the people I admire. My gorgeous, wonderful wife, Lorraine, my two fabulous da