TAMPA, Fla. — That was awesome, baby!
College basketball icon Dick Vitale made an appearance at the Southeastern Conference tournament on Saturday, getting recognized for his contributions to the sport, the league and his fight against cancer.
Vitale, who lives about an hour south of Tampa in Sarasota, was presented a basketball signed by the SEC’s 14 coaches before the first of two semifinal games at Amalie Arena. Vitale walked into the venue amid a standing ovation — and shouts of “Dickie V!” — and accepted the autographed ball from league commissioner Greg Sankey at midcourt. He made a brief stop at ESPN’s broadcast seats, the spot he held for decades before stepping back for health reasons.
Vitale, 82, has been public about his treatment for assorted medical issues, including at least two forms of cancer.
He hadn’t made an in-person appearance at a college basketball game since…
