Joel Huerto is managing editor of One Man Fastbreak.net and a sports consultant with Opposing Views.com. He has been a member of the sports media for almost 20 years, which included nine years as a news editor at the Los Angeles Times. He will cover a variety of topics, from coach and player profiles to hot-button issues. Joel is also known as "maniLA ice" for his cool demeanor in the friendly confines of the YMCA hardwood. He loves to shoot the "tear drop" and prefers to play zone to hide his deficiencies on defense.
I am going to take this opportunity to congratulate ESPN's Dick Vitale for overcoming throat cancer and tipping off his 30th season as the face and the voice of college basketball.
Are you serious! Are you serious!
Yes, I'm serious. Vitale IS college hoops. What Michael Jackson was to MTV, Dick Vitale is to ESPN. In some ways, Dickie V has been the most influential figure in college basketball since John Wooden. Heck, Vitale is probably one of the most influential figures in sports history and his recent induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame was well deserved. The explosion of the NCAA tournament coincided with Vitale's rise to prominence on cable television. He's a one-man marketing machine. Vitale made every game he covered for ESPN the most important game of the season. His passion and love for the sport filtered through the airwaves and the fans absolutely went Cameron Crazy when he showed up.
Most college players may not know the names of their local senators and congressmen, but I'd be willing to bet all of them know Dick Vitale.
He's awesome with a capital A!
I had the great pleasure of meeting Vitale, twice. Once at a game at Pauley Pavilion and the other time was during the grand opening of the ESPN store in Glendale, Calif.
Freeze it!
It was 1994 and UCLA had just played Arizona in a nationally televised contest. After the game, I headed to the locker room to do gather some postgame quotes. I was working for the Glendale News-Press at the time and I wore my press badge around my neck. Vitale just happened to be walking by with then UCLA coach Jim Harrick. I said "Hello" to both. Harrick saw my press pass and said, "Glendale News-Press! Say 'Hi' to my good friend John Goffredo." At the time, Goffredo was the boys' basketball coach at Crescenta Valley High. Vitale gave me a head nod and said, "How about that Shon Tarver, baby!" Though the meeting was brief, I was honored just to get some kind of acknowledgement.
Get a T.O., baby! Get a T.O....!
Fast forward to 1998 when ESPN opened its first, and I believe only, retail store. I went to the event knowing Vitale was going to be there. After Vitale completed his presentation, I walked up to him and asked if I could take a few minutes of his time. Vitale put his arms around me as if we were lifelong friends and gave me more than a few minutes. He gave me a lifetime of memories.
I sent him the article I wrote for the News-Press and in return he mailed me his book, "Holding Court: Reflections on the game I love." To this day, I consider that book one my prized possessions, not because it's a good read (sorry, Dick), but because of the words written inside the book. It read: JOEL, THANKS. AWESOME BABY. DICK VITALE.
Dick, you're awesome baby!
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