Richard John "Dick" Vitale, born on June 9, 1939, is an American sports commentator, celebrated for his long career as a college basketball analyst for ESPN. His career began as a coach, successfully leading the University of Detroit team to the NCAA tournament and briefly serving as the head coach of the Detroit Pistons in the NBA. Following his dismissal from the Pistons, Vitale joined the fledgling ESPN in 1979, calling the first college basketball game ever broadcast by the network. He quickly became the face and voice of college basketball due to his exuberant style, contagious passion, and famous catchphrases like "Awesome, baby!". In addition to his television work, he has authored numerous books about his life and basketball. His outstanding contribution to the sport has been recognized with his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the College Basketball Hall of Fame. He is also a tireless philanthropist, known for his commitment to the V Foundation for Cancer Research.