Legendary Announcer Dick Vitale 'Moved to Tears' After Message From Tom Izzo

Ken Ruinard / staff / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Legendary Announcer Dick Vitale 'Moved to Tears' After Message From Tom Izzo

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Angelo Guinhawa | Last updated May 5, 2026 8:08 AM ET

Famed college basketball announcer Dick Vitale couldn't hide his emotions after receiving a message from Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo on Monday.

Vitale, who started as a broadcaster with ESPN in 1979 and became a popular voice in college hoops, is currently battling cancer. He revealed earlier in April that he was diagnosed with melanoma in his lung and liver cavity, a condition that requires him to undergo immunotherapy treatment.

Amid his health situation, Vitale has received plenty of support, including from Izzo and his family.

As the 86-year-old media icon shared, Izzo sent him an "inspiring message" that moved him to "tears." While he didn't reveal what Izzo told him, Vitale was full of appreciation for him.

ESPN analyst and former basketball coach Dick Vitale.© Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

The ESPN personality also mentioned that the legendary coach has "inspired" him even more to face his cancer.

"OMG moved to tears- this morning I received an inspirational message from @MSU_Basketball coach TOM IZZO who spent the weekend with Lorraine & I at our Gala," Vitale wrote.

"He is a HOF coach but a genuine HOF person. He really has inspired me as I now focus on my latest battle with cancer."

OMG moved to tears- this morning I received an inspirational message from @MSU_Basketball coach TOM IZZO who spent the weekend with Lorraine & I at our Gala.He is a HOF coach but a genuine HOF person. He really has inspired me as I now focus on my latest battle with…
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) May 4, 2026

Vitale is set to undergo an immunotherapy on Tuesday. On Monday, he shared his hope that the treatment will be effective against his cancer and that the side effects will be less severe.

The legendary announcer has overcome four types of cancer in the past, and despite his latest challenge, he remains optimistic that he can beat it once again.

Before his latest cancer diagnosis, Vitale overcame lymphoma and melanoma in 2022, vocal cord cancer in 2023 and another lymph node cancer in 2024.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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