[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 60 (Wednesday, April 16, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E629]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO DICK VITALE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 16, 2008

  Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dick Vitale 
for being inducted with the 2008 class to the Naismith Memorial 
Basketball Hall of Fame. In his long career as a teacher, coach, and 
commentator, Mr. Vitale has become known around the world for his 
unrelenting and unyielding passion for the game of college basketball.
  Dick Vitale was born in Passaic, New Jersey, where his parents taught 
him to give ``110 percent all of the time,'' a lesson that has stayed 
with him throughout his life. After graduating from Seton Hall 
University, Vitale took a job at Mark Twain Elementary School in 
Garfield, NJ, where he began his coaching career. After several years 
he returned to his alma mater, East Rutherford High School, and coached 
the basketball team to two state championships over the next 6 years.
  In 1970, Dick Vitale burst onto the college basketball scene when he 
was brought on as an assistant coach for the Rutgers University Scarlet 
Knights basketball team. He was soon hired as the head coach of the 
University of Detroit, and led the Titans to a 78 and 30 record and a 
trip to the NCAA Tournament in 1977. His success at the college level 
caught the eye of another team in Detroit, and he was hired to coach 
the NBA' s Pistons in 1978. Although his professional coaching career 
wasn't as successful as he hoped, what was supposed to be a temporary 
job while waiting for another coaching opportunity ended up leading Mr. 
Vitale to his true calling. He signed up with the then fledgling ESPN 
network as a basketball analyst and the rest, they say, is history 
``baby!''
  Since calling the first college basketball game in ESPN's history in 
1979, Dick Vitale has been courtside for more than 1,000 contests. His 
pithy comments seem to keep even the most lackluster games interesting 
and colorful. Love him or hate him, Mr. Vitale's trademark catchphrases 
and endless enthusiasm have become a part of college basketball 
history. As he approaches his 30th year with ESPN, his election to the 
Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor to the sport is well deserved.
  I extend my most sincere congratulations to Mr. Vitale, and I thank 
him for the personality and passion he has brought to the game of 
college basketball.

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