Dick Vitale (born June 9, 1939 in East Rutherford, New Jersey) is an American broadcaster who is well known for his spirited style of broadcasting, primarily on ESPN.

Vitale did not set out to become a broadcaster after his graduation from Seton Hall University. Instead, he planned on becoming a teacher and coach. Vitale took his first job as a coach at Mark Twain Elementary School in Garfield, New Jersey in 1963. Eventually, he moved through the high school ranks.

As the 1970s dawned, Vitale took a job as an assistant coach at Rutgers University. In 1973, he was called by the University of Detroit to become their head coach. He took the team to the NCAA tournament in 1977. He then coached the Detroit Pistons for the 1978-79 season.

Vitale was fired from the Pistons after the 1978-79 season. He joined the fledgling network, ESPN, until another coaching job became available. He called the first college basketball game in the network's history on December 5, 1979.

Since 1979, Vitale has called more than 1000 games. He is well known for getting the biggest games and his rare form of energy. Terms like "diaper dandy" (a star underclassman), a PTPer or a prime time player, and "Maalox Moments" (the end of a close game).

Vitale has recently been mentioned as a candidate for election to the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Samples of Dick's calls

• "Oh yes, hello! Billy 'The Chill' Owens, slam-jam-bammer!"
• "Oh, what a play! What a play! Slam jam bam baby! Corchiani!"
• "And they love it in Ann Arbor!"
• "The three 'S' man: super, sensational, scintillating!"
• "It's awesome, baby, it's awesome!"
• "He's awesome with a capital 'A'!"
• "Oh, between his legs! I can't believe it!"
• "Rock 'n roll! It's party time now in Syracuse, she loves it!"
• "That's gotta be the best shot of the year! Unbelievable move!"
• "Can you imagine the Carrier Dome right now? It'd be unbelievable!"
• "There it is! There they go! Boom, bam, bingo!"
• "There it is! It's over! It's over! It's over!"
• "Get a TO, Mr. Knight! Get a TO, baby! Get a time-out, Mr. Knight!"
• "Uh oh! Uh oh! Uh oh!"