Thank you Santa!
I hope Santa was very good to everyone out there.
Santa was very good to me. Last year at this time, I was out following throat surgery. The big fella gave me another chance to be courtside, calling the games I love so much.
I had a blast recently working the Texas at Wisconsin game, and I wish we had more coaches like Rick Barnes and Bo Ryan, guys who understand how to get people to play as a team. The Longhorns won at a tough place, the Kohl Center. Texas understands shot selection and how to defend.
Team to me stands for the following ... T for togetherness, E for effort, A for attitude and M for mental toughness.
It is a beautiful time of the year. I have always loved the holiday season, and I hope that everyone is healthy and happy. Hopefully the economy will turn in the right direction and people out of work can find jobs.
I am hoping for a post-Christmas gift for the General, Robert Montgomery Knight. If he wants to return to coaching again, let him get that job. Let him return to that prominent role and give him a dominating team. We need more teachers like the General, people who bring integrity to the game. They get players to understand the importance of an education and the need to graduate.
With so much chaos going on in athletics, a leader like Knight is needed. If he wants to stay in broadcasting, where he done a very good job breaking down the Xs and Os, let him stay in TV.
Santa, hopefully you are helping me raise $1 million in the fight against pediatric and lung cancer. Tell people to go to dickvitaleonline.com to find out how to contribute. Also have them buy my book about the 50 greatest players and moments during my time calling games at ESPN/ABC. All of my proceeds are going to the V Foundation to help find a cure for the dreaded disease.
I hope people will come to the Dickie V gala next May in Florida. Rick Pitino and Billy Donovan will be honored that night in Sarasota and that will help us raise the $1 million. I need your help and the economy is tough ... I will not accept falling short in this goal.
Santa, I hope people have health, happiness and a great 2009.
