02/07/2021
ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale is known for many things; his 1963-79 coaching career, his four decades and counting as a prominent ESPN analyst, hispassionforconcerts and Tampa sports (particularlyrelevant at the moment ahead of Sunday’s Super Bowl LV), and his long–runningefforts to raise money for pediatric cancer research. Vitale’s latest endeavors on that front include his 15th annual Dick Vitale “Passion For Pediatrics” Gala last September (held virtually, it raised a record $7.4 million for the V Foundation, bringing that total to more than $37 million over 15 years), his upcoming 16th annual gala (planned for this May), and his repeateddonations of all of his proceeds from his books (most recently including “The Lost Season”). Vitale recently spoke to AA about his charitable work, and he said that’s what he cares about most at this point in his life (he’ll be 82 in June).