July 2
ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale was presented the prestigious Jake Wade Award from the College Sports Information Directors of America (COSIDA) at the organization's annual workshop July 4 in San Diego.

The Jake Wade Award is presented annually to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution in the media field of intercollegiate athletics.

	“	I am thrilled to receive this great honor, especially considering all the giants working in the media world today. ”
		— Dick Vitale

"I am thrilled to receive this great honor, especially considering all the giants working in the media world today," Vitale said. "The list of previous winners reads like a Who's Who in this business and I'm touched to be a part of it. I want to thank all of the beautiful people of COSIDA for all they've done for me over the years."

Vitale teamed with Jim Simpson to call his first NCAA basketball game for ESPN -- Wisconsin at DePaul on Dec. 5, 1979 (a 90-77 DePaul win). Since then, he's called close to 1,000 games, bringing a thorough knowledge of the game in an enthusiastic and passionate style.

And while his knowledge, preparation and enthusiasm are unparalleled, his "Vitale-isms" have unwittingly taken on a life of their own. Just a few of his many household phrases include: "Awesome, baby"; "Get a TO, baby"; and "He's a PTPer."

He's involved with numerous charities, including The V Foundation and the Boys & Girls Club of Sarasota (Fla.). ESPN has televised two nationally acclaimed Vitale specials -- "The Game of Life," which first aired in December 1991, and "Game Plan For Life," which first aired in December 1994. Both were motivational speeches Vitale delivered to high school players at basketball camps.

A few of Vitale's recent prestigious honors: The University of Notre Dame presented him with an honorary degree in 1997, while he was also recognized with the Ronald Reagan Media Award as an outstanding media personality, as presented by the United States Sports Academy. In 1998, he was awarded the Basketball Hall of Fame's prestigious Curt Gowdy Media Award, the Hall's highest honor bestowed upon a journalist outside of enshrinement. In 2000, Vitale was recognized with the NABC Cliff Wells Appreciation Award for outstanding service to the college basketball coaching community and college basketball in general. And in March 2001, Vitale captured the Naismith Good Sportsmanship Award.

A frequent contributor to ESPN SportsCenter and ESPN Radio, Vitale also publishes a preseason basketball magazine with ESPN The Magazine and has his own Web sites, www.espn.com/dickvitale and dickvitaleonline.com. Vitale, who has also authored six books, is a native of Elmwood Park, N.J. and a graduate of Seton Hall University. He coached at the high school, college and NBA levels before turning to television.