Dick Vitale is widely regarded as one of the most iconic voices in college basketball history, but in 2015, he was removed from calling the legendary UNC-Duke rivalry — a game he had been part of since 1979. Although Vitale never publicly expressed disappointment, those close to him now reveal that the decision reportedly left him deeply hurt.
The change came when then-ESPN president John Skipper chose to replace Vitale with Jay Bilas. On the night Vitale was being inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame, he even approached ESPN executive George Bodenheimer about returning to the rivalry broadcast, seemingly unaware that he was no longer assigned to the game.
A decade has passed since Vitale last called the storied rivalry, but even at 86 and after multiple battles with cancer, he remains a beloved part of ESPN’s college basketball team — known for his energetic catchphrases like “Awesome, Baby!” and “Dipsy-doo Dunk-a-roo.”
Vitale’s journey began in high school coaching, later moving to the college level and even a brief stint coaching the Detroit Pistons in the NBA. However, broadcasting became his true calling, and he made his ESPN debut covering the UNC-Duke game in 1979. For 36 years, his voice became synonymous with the rivalry.
After announcing he was cancer-free in December 2024, Vitale made his return to the mic on February 8, calling a Duke-Clemson game. While his retirement date remains uncertain, many fans are hopeful he’ll get the chance to call one more UNC-Duke showdown before he steps away for good.