Dick Vitale writes emotional letter to Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski: ‘You are a true legend’
Tributes have been pouring in for Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, who will coach his final home game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Saturday night.
It’s only fitting that Dick Vitale, the iconic ESPN announcer, get in the mix, too.
Vitale, who first joined ESPN right before Krzyzewski took over at Duke in 1980, wrote an open letter to Krzyzewski that is set to air on “College GameDay” on Saturday morning.
“As I reflect upon your achievements, I am completely in awe,” Vitale wrote in the letter. “Your coaching record is proof of the solid gold Hall of Famer you are. But I know Mike the man as well. And man, are you special. It's been an honor to be teammates on the board of the V Foundation – where we do our best to keep Jimmy V's dream alive. Now, as I have endured a six-month fight with several cancers, I have felt your caring ways. Your countless messages have lifted my spirits like you can't even imagine. Yes, my friend, you are the GOAT as a coach. But you are also one of the best people I have ever met.”
Vitale was diagnosed with lymphoma and vocal cord dysplasia late last year, and is currently battling the cancer at home. He had to step away from ESPN and stop working college basketball games in January.
Though that fight has been tough, Vitale said that Krzyzewski frequently texts him and encourages him in his fight.
Krzyzewski is the winningest head coach in men’s Division I history, and has nearly 1,200 wins and five national titles under his belt. Undoubtedly, he is one of the best coaches the sport has ever seen, at any level.
“You are a true legend,” Vitale wrote, via USA Today. “Yes, I'd simply say, coach, you have been Awesome, baby, with a Capital A!”
Vitale’s full letter to Coach K
The letter in full, via USA Today:
Dear Mike,
It seems like yesterday, back in my second year at ESPN, your first at Duke when I wanted to find out what this young guy from West Point was all about. Even though you had a rough first few years — it was struggle city to put it mildly — after meeting you, I was so impressed and felt that you were going to get Duke back to the elite of the ACC.
As I reflect upon your achievements, I am completely in awe. Your coaching record is proof of the solid gold Hall of Famer you are. But I know Mike the man as well. And man, are you special. It's been an honor to be teammates on the board of the V Foundation — where we do our best to keep Jimmy V's dream alive. Now, as I have endured a six-month fight with several cancers, I have felt your caring ways. Your countless messages have lifted my spirits like you can't even imagine. Yes, my friend, you are the GOAT as a coach. But you are also one of the best people I have ever met.
Like millions of other fans, I feel it's been a privilege to watch you in action all these years. Every coach dreams of just one trip to the Final Four. You've been to 12 of them. In an era of fierce competition, you've collected more Ws than anyone. On top of that, you cut down the national championship nets five times. And, let's not forget about gold medals, too. Even with different players each season, the common thread was you. Whether at Duke or at the Olympics, you had some of the game's greatest superstars. And you always found a way to get them to buy in to your team-first approach. You've blended teams better than anyone who has ever graced the sidelines – according to my VBDI.
I'm lucky to have been in the building for so many of your biggest moments. I am praying that the journey that you and your general manager Mickie will now take includes health and happiness. You are a true legend. Yes, I'd simply say, coach, you have been Awesome, baby, with a Capital A!
God Bless,
Dick
