A quick hop in the time machine here, a moment of appreciation for the man who has become college basketball's most enthusiastic ambassador. It was 34 years ago Thursday when Dick Vitale first appeared on ESPN as a college hoops analyst. The network recognized the anniversary by sending along the two-minute video clip above, which shows Vitale offering up some commentary on the game of the week back in December 1979: Wisconsin vs. DePaul!
Vitale -- who is a hoot and every bit the character you'd expect him to be on Twitter -- remains a polarizing figure because of his antics and excitement he relentlessly brings to every broadcast. But he's also become just as known for his charity work, spearheading the Jimmy V Foundation and its goal, to eliminate cancer.
Vitale is now 74. Here he is on Tuesday night, at Duke.
