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Longtime ESPN Announcer Dick Vitale Shares Cancer Battle Update

Originally posted on The Spun | By Kameron Duncan | Last updated Dec 4, 2024 8:03 PM ET

For many college basketball fans, Dick Vitale is the unquestioned voice of the sport. He's called college games for several decades on ESPN, following some of the greatest teams, coaches and players of all time.

This week is Jimmy V Week at ESPN, and it's one of the most important weeks of the year for Vitale, who has dedicated himself to the the fight against cancer in honor of his late friend and fellow coach Jim Valvano.

The longtime announcer has battled the disease himself for several years now, and he issued another update on his health amid that ongoing battle.

Vitale responded to a tribute video from his ESPN colleagues on Wednesday, saying that he has a major scan scheduled for December 12.

"I’m constantly thinking about Dec 12 when I have a major scan to determine if I’m cancer free after my recent 30 radiation treatments. if I am it would be my NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP," Vitale said.

Vitale has dealt with lymphoma, melanoma, vocal cord dysplasia and vocal cord cancer over the last few years, keeping him in the hospital and out of the broadcast booth.

His latest update came only days after he announced his intention to return to broadcasting this season, after missing all of last year due to his health.

“Obviously, I would love to be able to sit at courtside and do what I love: talk about what is happening in college basketball,” he told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 06: TV personality Dick Vitale interacts with Duke Blue Devils fans before their game against the Wisconsin Badgers during the NCAA Men's Final Four Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 6, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)

“At this moment, I am simply focusing on what I am currently dealing with and that is to follow the advice of my medical team and become cancer-free at the conclusion of my six weeks of radiation treatments.

I went through the radiation on my vocal cords and it was successful in wiping the cancer out. I was able to deal with the side effects at that time and I hope I can again.”

College basketball fans have been in Vitale's corner for all of his health issues, as have his colleagues at ESPN and other college basketball broadcasters around the country.

Everyone is hoping that his scan comes back cancer-free, and that he's able to make his long-awaited return to the booth. It's hard to imagine college basketball without Dick Vitale, but if everything goes well, we may not have to for much longer.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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