Dick Vitale is an American basketball sportscaster. A former head coach in the college and professional ranks, he is well-known as a college basketball broadcaster for ESPN. He is known for catchphrases such as "This is awesome, baby!" and "diaper dandy" (outstanding freshman player), as well as enthusiastic and colorful remarks he makes during games, and has written nine books and appeared in several movies. Not long after losing his friend and fellow broadcaster, Jim Valvano, to cancer, Dick Vitale made a commitment to stop the disease. He is a long-time V Foundation Board member and a passionate advocate for pediatric cancer research. Dick is a passionate fundraiser for the V Foundation, which has awarded nearly $50 million to end pediatric cancer. Dick has hosted an annual Gala for 15 years and raised more than $30 million through the Gala to fund research for childhood cancer. He has an unmatched energy and has described himself as obsessed with cancer research funding. Dick has often proclaimed he will continue to raise money for kids with cancer “until his last breath.”