Dick Vitale, college basketball, kansas jayhawks

Dick Vitale Is Quite Diligent

If you've seen "Hoop Dreams," or if you've seen one of his "motivational" speeches, you see a very different Dick Vitale than the one shilling for pizza or Duke. He's impassioned, sure, but he's also optimistic and, occasionally, legitimately uplifting. You get a sense that really does want to make a difference in the life of every person he meets. Aggressively so.

So it didn't surprise us that Vitale reads student newspapers religiously and tries to motivate student journalists too. From the University of Kansas newspaper:

I have no idea how, but it seems that Vitale must have seen my article written last week on referee Steve Welmer. I have been told that Vitale regularly reads Kansan.com as well as the student newspapers for several other colleges, so maybe that is how he saw my story or got the address to The Kansan. Vitale autographed a couple of things including the cover of a recent issue of American Airlines Magazine and included a message that I will never forget:

"BJ, Rock Chalk Jayhawk Baby. You are an excellent writer. Keep chasing your dreams. Best of luck in your career." -Dick Vitale, Hall of Fame 2008"

OK, so two great things here. One: Vitale signs everything now with "Hall of Fame 2008." We know this is common from people who make Halls of Fame ... but still. Also: We bet he has about 500,000 copies of that American Way magazine next to his desk. Surrounding his desk. Spanning the walls.

Vitale Keeps It Classy [Kansan.com]

3:15 PM on Fri May 9 2008
By Leitch
6,812 views
43 comments

Comments

Flαmεtown at 03:25 PM on 05/09/08
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It's because he has nothing better to do. Hooters pulled his commercials.
Lady Andrea at 03:27 PM on 05/09/08
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Connectedness Index: 390

We need to get him reading blogs now.
ltwinslow at 03:27 PM on 05/09/08
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Connectedness Index: 204

big whoop.

i sign all my legal pleadings "lt.winslow, deadspin HOF nominee 2007"
Dany Heatley Speedwagon at 03:27 PM on 05/09/08
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Big deal. Dana Jacobson sent me a used cocktail napkin smelling of Grey Goose and her Atlantic City room number writen on it.
DumpsterDining at 03:28 PM on 05/09/08
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I sign things:
Still Irrelevant 2008
Sir Hotbod Handsomeface at 03:28 PM on 05/09/08
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Connectedness Index: 280

What a let-down. At first, I thought it said Dick Vitale is quiet, diligent
Camp Tiger Claw at 03:28 PM on 05/09/08
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Connectedness Index: 273

Dick Vitale is Concrete Brad.
MattMillenFanClub at 03:29 PM on 05/09/08
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Rot in Hell, Dukies

MMFC, stupid Detroit Tigers fan 2008
Gourmet Spud at 03:29 PM on 05/09/08
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Big deal. I know for a fact that Erin Andrews reads my writing, and I've got the cease and desist letters to prove it.
Bad Barbecue at 03:30 PM on 05/09/08
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I like it. I will now replace "esquire" with "Hall of Fame 2027".
HebrewHammer at 03:32 PM on 05/09/08
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Billy Packer once signed a Skymall magazine for me that just read "Suck it loser"
MattinglysSideburns at 03:32 PM on 05/09/08
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Connectedness Index: 124

I sign everything "Apt. 227"

/I am Marla Gibbs
Arriaga_II at 03:32 PM on 05/09/08
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"Keep chasing your dreams. Best of luck in your career. And if they ignore you in your career, TALK LOUDER." -Dick Vitale, Hair Club for Men President & Client.
Brazil Thrill at 03:33 PM on 05/09/08
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Connectedness Index: 348

@Lady Andrea:
"LA, Football Jesus Baby! You are an excellent blogger. Keep chasing your dre... wait, you wanna be a lawyer?" -Dick Vitale, Tyler Hansbrough Aficionado
muggsybogues at 03:34 PM on 05/09/08
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Approve.
Johnny LaRue at 03:34 PM on 05/09/08
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@Sir Hotbod Handsomeface: my own dyslexia was rooting for "quite indigent"
Tebow2007 at 03:36 PM on 05/09/08
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Dear DUKIE V,

Next time I ask to take a picture with you, don't hand me Fran Franschilla's resume. Don't be a dick, Dick.

Sincerely bitter,
Tebow2007
BigRicks at 03:37 PM on 05/09/08
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Everyone on here seems to be signing their names with a star at the end.
DennyCrane at 03:37 PM on 05/09/08
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That's hilarious because I recently flew American and the lead story was an interview with Charles Barkley that took place in a Russian restaurant.
Deadspin at 03:38 PM on 05/09/08
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I sign mine Mr. Spin, mother's basement 2008.
Schluby at 03:38 PM on 05/09/08
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I can honestly say Dick Vitale has made a profound difference in my life. Because of him, I can no longer watch a Duke or North Carolina game with sound.
jwaves2007 at 03:38 PM on 05/09/08
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I was looking at his Wiki page and it says that he likes to smoke pot and smoke crack for the first time at age 18.
Jankie at 03:41 PM on 05/09/08
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I have a copy of Kentucky Chrome Emblems Quarterly signed by Mr. "Three Sandwiches Short of the Deadspin HOF" Ramsey.
Chaunceyshammy at 03:41 PM on 05/09/08
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the best things in life aren't things Dick
PaulByrdsDentist at 03:41 PM on 05/09/08
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My name is Dick Vitale and I'm a Motivational Speaker. It's awesome baby!
Burning River at 03:42 PM on 05/09/08
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I am losing my confidence. I can see it in my body language.

Lebron James, 3rd runner-up, NBA MVP 2008
BigTenObsession at 03:42 PM on 05/09/08
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Connectedness Index: 451

At the 2000 nat'l championship game, I got Greg Gumbel's autograph. But for some reason he signed it "Clark Kellogg"
1980 David Bowie From... at 03:45 PM on 05/09/08
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Hey, that's the newspaper I'm applying for.
preciousroy at 03:46 PM on 05/09/08
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340) Inventory remaining American Way magazines
341) Remember to sign name with HoF now.
342) Inspire others to masturbate to thought of Coach K.
David Hume at 03:47 PM on 05/09/08
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I love signing things: internet petitions, class attendance lists, surveys, you name it.

/s/ Mike Oxfat
BigTenObsession at 03:48 PM on 05/09/08
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@preciousroy:

C'mon, we're up to 9,232 now.
preciousroy at 03:50 PM on 05/09/08
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@BigTenObsession: Hey, I'm not as current in reading Dickie V's head as he is in reading student newspapers.
Im a people person.... at 03:51 PM on 05/09/08
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Dickie V was the only person who bought a subscrition of GRIT newspaper from me. I never did get that kick ass model rocket kit.
Jen P at 03:52 PM on 05/09/08
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Connectedness Index: 70

Whoa. For some reason, Deadspin today looks like it's the 1998 version for me.
Laser Guided at 03:53 PM on 05/09/08
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dick vitale was in my grandmother's living room once

/true story
Jews For Purple Jesus at 03:53 PM on 05/09/08
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I've been getting a bunch of old Visa bills signed -Doug Gottlieb, OSU Class of 2000. Should I be worried?
ltwinslow at 03:54 PM on 05/09/08
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@Jen P:

retro is in this season
EditorOfTheDailyFaberian at 03:55 PM on 05/09/08
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I have a Calvin Murphy authograph with his HOF year. I wish it had ended with 14 kids/9 women.
DeepFriar at 03:57 PM on 05/09/08
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@Arriaga_II: given to a young Stephen A. Smith 15 years ago.
PeteJayhawk at 03:59 PM on 05/09/08
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@1980 David Bowie From The Music Video Ashes To Ashes: You're going to work for the Kansan?

Have fun. Great parties.
Abe Froman at 04:00 PM on 05/09/08
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i'm surprised his e-mail wasn't typed out entirely in CAPS.
Card_Chronicle at 04:49 PM on 05/09/08
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I get the feeling Vitale reads more for the email addresses than the stories. Being able to sign your name with a fancy title you absolutely don't deserve is just too enticing.
J-No at 10:06 PM on 05/09/08
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Connectedness Index: 279

I think this is pretty cool. He is congratulating someone else on a job well done. Not a bad thing to do and he is actually proud of his accomplishments. I can live with this.