Monday Morning Match is a quick post – maybe a quote, inspirational story or idea – intended to spark some motivation inside each of you so your week gets off to a fantastic start on Monday morning.
We’re almost 5 months away from college basketball teams starting their 2014-15 seasons but today is a big day when it comes to the sport that brings us March Madness. Today, June 9th, 2014, is Dick Vitale’s 75th birthday!
He’s a PTP’er
There is no voice that is more associated with college basketball today than ESPN announcer Dick Vitale. After serving as a college coach at Detroit University (after a successful high school coaching career with 4 state championships in New Jersey), he had a quick stint in the NBA as the coach of the Detroit Pistons before joining a fledgling network called ESPN in 1979.
Since that first game calling the Wisconsin at Depaul game, Vitale has become synonymous with college hoops on television. If there is a big game in college hoops from November until March Madness kicks off, you can bet that Dickie V (as he is known to his fans) will be sitting courtside calling the game. His signature nicknames for players are something that even the most casual of fans knows:
PTP’er = Prime Time Player
All Windex Team = A great “glass cleaner” (a.k.a someone who could rebound very well)
Diaper Dandy = A great freshman player
Maalox Masher = Someone who excelled during the final minutes of the game
The “All Avis” Team – teams that “just try harder.”
Just hearing the phrase “dipsy doo, dunk-a-roo” or “it’s awesome baby” lets you know you’re watching the biggest game of the week.
“I learned from my mom and dad, who didn’t have a formal education but had doctorates of love. They told me that if you gave 110 percent all the time, a lot of beautiful things will happen. I may not always be right, but no one can ever accuse me of not having a genuine love and passion for whatever I do.” – Dick Vitale
A Love-Hate Relationship
It really doesn’t matter whether you like Vitale’s “schtick” or not, you can’t argue with one thing – the man’s passion for his job is unmatched by anyone in the game. I know some people who cringe when they hear Vitale’s voice on the game telecast while others love his analysis and coverage. One thing you know you’re going to get when Vitale is calling the game is that no one will be more prepared to talk about every aspect of that night’s match-up than Dickie V.
He’ll know the starters, the coaching staff and the history of the opponents. He’ll even have the athletic department’s two-deep roster memorized (yes, I’m sure that Vitale not only knows the athletic directors at each school but he probably knows the guys who cut the grass at the SID’s executive assistant’s house). Heck, he knows the recruits the schools have signed and anything else important about the school, rivalry or community where the game is being played including the school’s fight song…which he has been known to sing during telecasts. He’ll show up at least 90 minutes before the game begins to mingle with the students in attendance and also spend time with the staff, security and volunteers of the stadiums and arenas hosting the game.
For the last 21 years, he has been a tireless promoter to help raise funds to support the Jimmy V Foundation – a charity raising money to find a cure for cancer named in honor of former North Carolina State coach Jim Valvano, a close friend of Vitale’s. He is a tireless supporter of any cause that is working to find a cure for cancer and is a huge supporter of anyone affected by this hated disease.
He’s also a super follow on Twitter and does a great job of interacting with his fans between his tweets about his Tampa Bay Devil Rays (he’s a huge baseball fan), tennis, his hometown of Sarasota, Florida and any time there’s a major sporting event, you’re sure to see Dickie V’s thoughts, predictions and commentary.
What Will You Do to Be Awesome Today, Baby?
How can you show those around you the passion and enthusiasm you have for what you do the way Vitale does every time he’s on television or radio?
How will your dedication to being knowledgable about your profession build trust and credibility with your fan base?
How can your connections within the business and outside of it help you continue to help people every single day, both locally and globally?
What can you do today to have people acknowledge you as one of the best in the business?
What will be your signature saying, phrase or motto?
For now, I’ll just stick with”build relationships, solve problems and have fun.”