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College basketball hasn’t been the same since Dick Vitale was forced to step away from the microphone, but it appears the broadcasting legend is getting closer to making his grand return based on his most recent update.
It’s been more than a year since the legendary Dick Vitale graced the airwaves while covering a showdown between Michigan State and Kentucky in November of 2022 before stepping away from the airwaves to focus on his health.
The past few years have been fairly tumultuous for the beloved figure known as “Dickie V,” who has fought (and won) multiple battles with cancer since being diagnosed with melanoma and lymphoma in 2021.
At the end of that year, he was forced to rest his voice for four months after doctors spotted precancerous growths on his vocal cords, and in 2023, he had to undergo another lengthy regimen of radiation treatment to address the throat cancer that was successfully eradicated in October.
When the 84-year-old received a clean bill of health, he hinted he was hoping to head back to the announcers’ table to work a game between Miami and Kentucky on ESPN at the end of November. Unfortunately, he was forced to delay his comeback due to the unanticipated impact the cancer treatments had on his vocal cords.
On Thursday, Vitale shared some promising news when he hopped online to let the world know his doctor at Mass General advised him to undergo vocal cord surgery in the hopes he’ll be able to make a full recovery in the wake of the procedure.
Dr Zeitels said after my exam Wed. that he recommended Surgery on my vocal cords with the hope that it can strengthen my voice .I’m leaving now for @MGHMedicine hospital & will have surgery this morning . At my age Anesthesia is a concern . 🙏🙏🙏 that it all works out . pic.twitter.com/9xiqDNmaD3
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) January 18, 2024
At this point, no one would blame Vitale for hanging up the headset and enjoying a well-earned retirement, but it’s pretty clear he wants to get back to doing what he does best as soon as he possibly can—and there’s no doubt college basketball fans are looking forward to the day he can do exactly that.