ESPN analyst Dick Vitale (a former Rutgers basketball assistant) is battling cancer, provides a post-surgery update

Dick Vitale provided a positive and encouraging update on his battle with cancer. The ESPN college basketball analyst, who was a Rutgers basketball assistant at the start of his career, appears to be making progress following surgery this week.

Vitale has been bravely (and successfully) battling vocal cord cancer for the past several years. In July, he was diagnosed with cancer for a third time.

He has been posting regular updates on X (the social media platform formerly known as Twitter) about his surgery and recovery this week.

One of the most popular analysts and personalities on ESPN, Vitale was an assistant with the Rutgers men’s basketball program for two seasons before taking over the University of Detroit in 1973.

He has been a college basketball analyst at ESPN since 1979.

Rutgers basketball has been active in rooting for Vitale’s recovery.

The ESPN analyst has used his fight with cancer as a platform to encourage others and also as an educational tool to create greater awareness for screening and treatment.

The surgery came at the recommendation of Dr. Steven Zeitels of Massachusetts General Hospital. He is one of the nation’s foremost authorities on laryngeal surgery, making him a real PTP (prime time physician).

The intent of the surgery is to strengthen Vitale’s vocal cords.

Story originally appeared on Rutgers Wire