Dickie V in the H.O.F.?!

[Adam]

Well, at least it ain't Gottlieb.
Are you kidding me?

[JRutledge]

You are kind of late to the party because this has been discussed before on this site.

I also think to be fair Dickie V and others are not elected into the HOF because we as officials like them. They are brought into the HOF because of their contribution to the game in their respective fields. And just because you do not like his style or presentation, does not mean he does not deserve. Whether you like it or not he is an icon the sport and that is why he is now a HOFer.

Peace

[Adam]

I'm not saying the guy should be fired, or that he shouldn't be making whatever Duke is paying him through ESPN. I just question whether he should be in the Hall alongside Pat Riley, Patrick Ewing, and Hakeem Olajuwon.

[BktBallRef]

I realize a lot of people don't like Vitale. But I think a lot of those attitudes would change if they ever had a chance to listen to him speak. He's a TREMENDOUS motivational speaker. He has a passion for kids, basketball and life. When I heard him speak, he went at it hard for almost 90 minutes. He's act on games is just that, an act. You won't find anyone more geniune than him, away from the mic.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

I'm not saying the guy should be fired, or that he shouldn't be making whatever Duke is paying him through ESPN. I just question whether he should be in the Hall alongside Pat Riley, Patrick Ewing, and Hakeem Olajuwon.

He is a HOFer as a contributor, not a player or coach. And I bet you cannot name many contributors in the HOF in the first place. I know I cannot name many. And some of those in the HOF as contributors are coaches and players.

Peace

[Mark Padgett]

Have to agree with Rut on this one. He probably does belong there based on his long history of contributing to the popularization of the college game.

He's just lucky there's no qualifying rules test.

[socalreff]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

Have to agree with Rut on this one. He probably does belong there based on his long history of contributing to the popularization of the college game.

He's just lucky there's no qualifying rules test.

There probably aren't 3 players in there who would pass a rules test either. They aren't in there for that and neither is he. He's awesome baby with a capital A!!!

[26 Year Gap]

I still remember him starting to stand on his head when IU lost to Cleveland State. He can admit it when he is wrong. If I had to choose any know-it-all college BB broadcaster to spend an hour with [I wouldn't on my own, but if I HAD to] it would probably be with Vitale. Because unlike most of the others, he cares about the kids.

[zebraman]

When I was in college (around 1987 or so), I was watching some hoops one night with my roommate. At halftime, the station showed a speech that Dickie V. was giving at a basketball camp to a bunch of kids. His speech was along the lines of stay in school, stay out of trouble etc. But he was going nuts! He was so passionate that he was absolutely screaming and worked himself into a major sweat. They showed part of the speech but mentioned that it went for almost an hour. The campers were totally transfixed on him the entire time. It was one of the most sincere, heartfelt speeches I ever saw. I can remember it vividly. In fact, I saw my old roommate not long ago and he asked me if I still remembered that speech.

[canuckrefguy]

Good for Dickie V.

Just wait until years from now, when they induct Packer

I hope I'm still around to surf the pages of this forum!

LOL

[JugglingReferee]

Been a Dickie V fan for a long time. Congrats to him.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by zebraman

When I was in college (around 1987 or so), I was watching some hoops one night with my roommate. At halftime, the station showed a speech that Dickie V. was giving at a basketball camp to a bunch of kids. His speech was along the lines of stay in school, stay out of trouble etc. But he was going nuts! He was so passionate that he was absolutely screaming and worked himself into a major sweat. They showed part of the speech but mentioned that it went for almost an hour. The campers were totally transfixed on him the entire time. It was one of the most sincere, heartfelt speeches I ever saw. I can remember it vividly. In fact, I saw my old roommate not long ago and he asked me if I still remembered that speech.

Exactly the type of thing I was referring to above.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by canuckrefguy

Just wait until years from now, when they induct Packer

There's a lot of things I'd like to see done to Packer. Being inducted isn't necessarily one of them. At least, not into the HOF.

[26 Year Gap]

I'd like to see Packer take the written test on National TV.

[Jurassic Referee]

The MUTE button was invented for the Vitale/Packers' of the world.