Detroit names their court after Dickie V, an honor well-earned

Some of the younger readers of BIAH out there may not know this, but Dick Vitale, before he became ESPN's most recognizable voice on college basketball broadcasts, was actually a head coach once upon a time.

After compiling a far-from-embarrassing 78-30 record in four years at the University of Detroit, Vitale was the head coach of the Detroit Pistons for a 30-52 campaign before getting canned after a 4-8 start the following season. Following the firing, Vitale became the lead college hoops analyst for a little startup company in the Northeast called ESPN, and the rest, as they say, is history, baby.

I'm not just bringing up Dick Vitale's past for the hell of it. The University of Detroit has actually decided to name their basketball court Dick Vitale Court. You can see photos of the construction here.


"What Dick has done for the game of college basketball is nothing short of remarkable, and it is only fitting that we honor him in such a special way – given his career started right here at U of D as a head coach," Detroit Athletic Director Keri Gaither said in a statement released by the school. "Dick Vitale Court at Calihan Hall will serve as a perpetual and lasting tribute to not only Dick's time at Detroit but also his significant contributions to the sport over several decades."

"When Keri called me and told me they were going to name the court after me at Calihan Hall, I was absolutely taken," Vitale said. "I can't tell you how much this means to me. It should be a special, special moment. It will probably move me to tears. To all the people that made this happen, you're awesome, baby!"

Vitale is as well-known as any college basketball personality, but he is not necessarily a favorite among most hoops fans. His energetic, over-the-top announcing style is not enjoyed by everyone. Vitale, some believe, has become a caricature of himself, college basketball's version of Chris Berman.

But there is one major difference between Berman and Vitale. Berman's a notorious asshole. Dickie V is one of the friendliest, most genuine, and most passionate people in the broadcasting business. He genuinely loves the game of basketball, getting to excited for his own good on many a telecast. And while his coaching career was far from Hall of Fame worthy, his biggest contributions to society has little to nothing to do with hoops. Vitale has been a huge part of the V Foundation, raising money and awareness for the fight against "can-suh".

Dickie V deserves to have a court named after him.

Not because he was a great coach, because he wasn't. And not because of his career as a broadcaster, because having a successful broadcasting career shouldn't earn you a court.

He deserves this honor because there may not be a better person in all of college basketball.