T1B

Posted: **Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:31 pm**

So I see Vitale at a concert here in Sarasota last night. I'm in the lobby chugging a beer (no beer allowed inside WTF?) and there he is chatting up some fans. Now seeing Vitale in Sarasota is not an uncommon occurrence. He stays very visable around town and is always very gracious even when people are yelling "Get a T-O Baby!!" as he's trying to dine with his wife.

Anyhow, so as I pass him by I make eye (singular) contact . I say "Mr Vitale, do my Wolverines have a shot tommorrow against the Sparties?" Without hesitation he says..." If Mr. Amacker can keep them in the game into the second half I love their chances. Horton,Harris, and watch for Petway to break out in this game. They could be rockin and rollin in Crisler Baby!!" This is no BS. He launched into full character in the lobby. Fucking classic. Then his wife, always classy, gives him a slight tug on the elbow and they were off.

Go Blue!

Posted: **Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:46 pm**

What was his wife like? Obviously there wasn't much interaction but if he can/does break into that mode so easily, she must be fairly tolerant.

Posted: **Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:55 pm**

She's got to be a saint. He is who he is, and who is she to gripe. She lives a life that no wife of a low rent mediocre B-ball coach ever should. A couple years ago they moved from a large house on a country club GC, to a mansion on the TPC course here in town. Life is good for Mrs. Vitale, and I think she knows it. They are great with charities here, alot of time and money speant working with the Boys and Girls club. To his credit he just tries to be a normal guy. Obviously he instantly recognized but noone I know has a negative word to say about the guy.

For the record...Other moderately famous residents of Sarasota.

Jerry Springer
Mean Gene Okerlund
Lead singer from AC/DC (Brian Johnson I think)
Stephen King
Paul Azinger
Martina Navratalova
Ivan Lendle
Maria Sharapova

Posted: **Wed Jan 25, 2006 4:55 pm**

Wow, I had no idea^^^

Anyway, that is good to hear about DickieV. It is pretty amazing how much he knows about every team. Being able to rattle off like that is a well suited skill for him.

Posted: **Wed Jan 25, 2006 5:18 pm**

WolverineSteve wrote: Mean Gene Okerlund

Sweet. Start working on your Ric Flair or Roddy Piper in case you ever run into him.

Posted: **Wed Jan 25, 2006 5:39 pm**

Old (and he is looking old) Gene got a DUI leaving Siesta Key about 5 years back. He stayed out of the saloons for a bit but he's more prevelant of late. He hangs with some huge guy (obviously ex-wrestler) who drives.

Posted: **Wed Jan 25, 2006 6:16 pm**

WolverineSteve wrote: Jerry Springer
Mean Gene Okerlund
Lead singer from AC/DC (Brian Johnson I think)
Stephen King
Paul Azinger
Martina Navratalova
Ivan Lendle
Maria Sharapova

How long before this is the ballot for Mayor of Sarasota?

Posted: **Wed Jan 25, 2006 6:21 pm**

I love Dickie V. Think it would be awesome to have lunch w/ the man. He is what is great about CBB.

Posted: **Wed Jan 25, 2006 6:36 pm**

WolverineSteve wrote:For the record...Other moderately famous residents of Sarasota.

Lead singer from AC/DC (Brian Johnson I think)

Yes, Brian Johnson is the lead singer. AC/DC bass player Cliff Williams is also a resident of Sarasota.

Posted: **Wed Jan 25, 2006 6:43 pm**

Love the enthusiasm, but he just goes over the top....even to us Duke fans. Can't tell you how many times I've groaned, "Enough!!" But dude's got the greatest gig (hockey needs a guy like this....other than Grapes...in the USA). Saw him at the Indiana-Illinois game and anytime he walks around, fans go nuts. He'll take time and hang out with them, pose for pictures, get passed through the crowd, etc. A smattering of boos, though....for his Duke jocking, no doubt.

Posted: **Wed Jan 25, 2006 6:45 pm**

Didn't know that. Johnson's partying is the stuff of legend around here. I once saw him sing with a lounge singer after a couple bottles of wine with dinner. He's always the life of the party when he's out and about.

Posted: **Wed Jan 25, 2006 9:14 pm**

Met DickieV in the lobby of a hotel about 8 years ago. Gave me a free autographed copy of 'Holding Court'.

Posted: **Wed Jan 25, 2006 11:25 pm**

I've never heard anything bad about Dickie V the person either, and frankly, I love him... I think he's been nothing short of incredible for the game of college basketball... I only occasionaly tire of his DukeLoveFest...

the_ouskull

Posted: **Thu Jan 26, 2006 12:30 am**

Well now, this is a pleasant surprise.

When I saw the thread title, i figured this would just be the typical announcer bashing type thread. You know the type...where mindless idiot who has nothing to say starts topic bitching about how so-n-so sucks and they can't stand listening to them blah, blah, blah... and other mindless idiots who have nothing to say either chime in saying - yeah, but so-n-so sucks WORSE blah, blah, blah...

So to read some genuine complimentary remarks from peeps who DO have something to say is quite refreshing.

Rack this thread.

the_ouskull wrote:I've never heard anything bad about Dickie V the person either, and frankly, I love him...

Same here. Vitale is a class act and entirely genuine. To watch him conduct clinics and inspire kids to follow their dreams is a joy.

Posted: **Thu Jan 26, 2006 12:37 am**

Met him once before a high school Bball game in NC at Mt. Zion. This was just before we were embarressed by over 106 points.

Posted: **Thu Jan 26, 2006 1:36 am**

SunCoastSooner wrote:Met him once before a high school Bball game in NC at Mt. Zion. This was just before we were embarressed by over 106 points.

....meaning you gave up 106 or you lost by 106?

Posted: **Thu Jan 26, 2006 4:19 am**

Cicero wrote:He is what is great about CBB.

He USED to be what is great about cbb, then he became a caricature of himself. His positives still outweigh his negatives though.

Posted: **Thu Jan 26, 2006 5:20 am**

My wife had a chance to speak with guy about 10 years ago and he was great. I tend to agree that he's sort of gone over the top trying to outdo himself, but who cares. I think he genuinely loves his job and loves college hoops. Good for him. At least he's enthusiastic and positive. It's a damn shame Packer gets to do Final Four games....he's not so good.

Posted: **Thu Jan 26, 2006 5:43 am**

Degenerate wrote:
WolverineSteve wrote: Mean Gene Okerlund
Sweet. Start working on your Ric Flair or Roddy Piper in case you ever run into him.

rack that take.

steve, that's awesome. dick can be a clown, but i would love to meet him someday. i'm glad to hear he went in full fledged dickie v mode for you, the greatest compliment one can get from him. he didn't blow you off at all.

like i said, dude can be over the top, but his heart is in the game, and you have to love that.

plus, he has detroit connections. rack him.

Posted: **Thu Jan 26, 2006 1:32 pm**

GrizBearStare wrote:
SunCoastSooner wrote:Met him once before a high school Bball game in NC at Mt. Zion. This was just before we were embarressed by over 106 points.

....meaning you gave up 106 or you lost by 106?

We lost by 106 points. We gave up 132.

T1B

From the mouth of Dickie V.

From the mouth of Dickie V.