Dick Vitale made his broadcasting debut with ESPN 34 years ago this month and now ESPN has released a short clip of that debut during a matchup between Wisconsin and DePaul.
It also sounds like Vitale has a lot of years left in the tank. While he has a standard year-to-year broadcasting contract, Vitale told Richard Deitsch of SI.com that his agreement with ESPN is for life as long as he is "physically, emotionally and mentally able to work."
Here is the first broadcast. It is interesting to note that Vitale had already established his signature enthusiasm, his nicknames, but without the flamboyant hand gestures he uses now. It is also funny to note just how uncomfortable Vitale's partner appears to be as Vitale rambles on for 1:38 before stopping.
Here's a photo, the video is below:
