Dick Vitale to have two more vocal cord surgeries, hopes to call games this season

Legendary college basketball announcer Dick Vitale said he must undergo two additional vocal cord surgeries this summer.

Vitale, in a series of tweets on Thursday, says he’s been advised from his vocal surgeon Steven Zeitels his past issues have recurred.

Vitale, 84, also hopes to be ready to call games for his 45^th year on ESPN this college basketball season.

"(Received) some bad news, but when I realize it is minor to what some face daily I will fight to recover. Dr Zeitels acclaimed vocal cord surgeon has informed me my past issues on my vocal cords have returned. I must have 2 surgeries this summer," Vitale wrote.

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"The biggest challenge is that I am currently on voice rest in preparation for surgery on July 11 & post surgery I must be on total voice rest for 6-8 weeks in recovery," he added in another tweet. "That part is so frustrating as I feel trapped not being able to express myself. The positive news Dr Z is optimistic to have me ready for my 45th yr on @espn."

Vitale previously had surgery for dysplasia and ulcerated lesions of the vocal cords in early 2022.

Vitale announced he beaten a bout of melanoma in Aug. 2021, but was diagnosed with lymphoma in Oct. 2021.

Vitale announced he was cancer free both in March 2022 and in Aug. 2022.

Vitale, who has called games for ESPN since the network's first year in 1979, is signed to an unofficial lifetime contract with ESPN and is in the final year of a contract extension that lasts through the 2023-24 college basketball season.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dick Vitale to have two vocal cord surgeries, expects ESPN return